Union not in tune with casino workers

Re: Casino workers double down, by Dave Battagello, May 19, 2018.

I believe this second rejection of a tentatively negotiated deal between the union and casino should tell the parties, loud and clear that neither one is really in tune with the workers. Nobody really wants to be on strike but there are times when the sacrifice is worth the outcome. Workers look to their union for guidance and support but it appears in this case, the union and casino don’t either know or care what the workers want. They are not paying the price and the union will continue collecting dues regardless of the outcome after this is done. We saw disappointment from the union after the first rejection and utter anger from the second. This causes me to wonder who the union is working for in this instance. Don’t these union negotiators understand that workers are forfeiting wages and benefits to attain rules they will live by? They are paying a price to get the message across to the casino that they want job security and wages.

The union’s actions have changed my opinion of what they actually have become and in this case it doesn’t seem to be security for workers. Local 444 negotiators seem to feel that they know better than those who earn their living at the casino. I wonder who is working for who?

I believe that Local 444 leadership needs to understand their membership to whom they profess to work in the best interest of. Then perhaps they can get down to the task of representing and advising their dues paying membership who have been counting on their union for support.

Joanne Shuliak, Windsor