Union pans reopening guidelines

Culinary drafts own set, calls state’s too weak

The culinary union says the state Gaming Control Board’s casino reopening guidelines are inadequate and has issued its own sixpage list of health and sanitation guidelines for gaming facilities.

In a videoconference

Tuesday, union leaders also vowed to “call out” regulators, government officials and casino companies that fall short of their expectations.

“There can be no shortcuts,” said D. Taylor, international president of UNITE

HERE, the umbrella organization over Culinary Local 226 in Nevada. “There can be no volunteerism by companies to do the right thing. This has to be mandated in the strongest possible terms.”

The guidelines of the union, which says 95 percent of its 300,000 workers in several states are out of work, emphasize prevention, protection, enhanced cleaning protocols aligned with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention standards, and regulatory enforcement.

Among the requirements listed by the union are that guests should be offered surgical masks and asked to wear them while in public areas; that contactless and cashless tipping systems for guest service providers — such as bellpersons, valets,

doorpersons, guest-room attendants and room service attendants — should be provided; and that all fitness centers, spas and pools remain closed.

Taylor praised the reopening plan of Wynn Resorts Ltd. but said it still fell short of what’s necessary. He also blasted remarks made by Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman.

“There has to be state or municipality enforcement and mandates,” Taylor said. “We have seen already, for example, the mayor of Las Vegas essentially say, ‘Just open it up. We’ll see what happens,’ like we’re rats in

a lab. So we can’t rely on examples of politicians like this.”

Taylor said gaming regulators across the country have the ability to dictate what standards are set for a casino reopening.

“If that is not used, then I think every public official who’s responsible for the gaming control board should be scrutinized and, frankly, be held accountable if workers and guests become affected because we have not taken steps necessary to protect the workers and the public from the coronavirus pandemic,” he said.

On Monday, Gaming Control Board Chairwoman Sandra Morgan said in a text that plans “will be confidential,” citing state statutes.

“But some licensees are choosing

to make them public,” she said. “We are not approving every plan.”

Taylor disagreed.

“Let’s be transparent,” he said. “We’re transparent. We’re telling you about our protocols. Why wouldn’t every company do that? I applaud what Wynn did. They made that a public document, good, bad or indifferent. We think it’s obviously very good overall. Let everybody do that.”

Representatives for Wynn Resorts did not respond to a request for comment on the union’s remarks.

Contact Richard N. Velotta at rvelotta@reviewjournal.com or 702477-3893. Follow @Rickvelotta on Twitter.