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First Contract Was "In the Cards" for San Manuel Casino Workers
Three months into their first CWA contract, more than 400 employees of the San Manuel Indian Casino in San Bernardino, Calif., are enjoying healthy raises and a new sense of job security.
“We finally have a union, and we’re happy that it’s CWA,” said Cecilia Thompson, a housekeeper at the casino and a newly trained steward in Local 9400. “We are protected, and our union gives us the voice that we’ve needed.”
Their three-year contract brings the casino workers annual raises of 3.5 to 5 percent depending on job title, time and a half pay for holidays worked, an improved vacation schedule, a 40-hour week with paid overtime, a seniority plan and other improvements.
And, for the first time, they have the security of a grievance and arbitration procedure and just cause for dismissal language.
Neither the pact nor the organizing victory — the second at an Indian casino for Local 9400 and President Micheal Hartigan — came easy, local Vice President Anita Humphrey said.
She and Local 9400 Vice President Alvin Beck praised the work of local Organizers Osmin Herrera and Miguel Alvarez.
“We were there almost every day,” Humphrey said. “People came and talked to us mornings or evenings, or before or after lunch. Within three weeks we had over 70 percent signed up on membership and authorization cards.”
In December 1998, the local sent a letter to the tribe, asking for recognition based on card check showing majority support for a union.
Changes in California law and changes in tribal administration served to slow the recognition process, Humphrey said. It wasn’t until January 2000 that Hartigan, Humphrey and Steward Jeff Finley were able to enter into negotiations with the tribe’s business agent. About 200 workers attended monthly update meetings to voice concerns during bargaining, Humphrey said.
Over the summer, the local trained Thompson and several other stewards to represent the casino service workers, including cashiers, food runners, cooks, and maintenance and sanitation employees.
“With the exuberance and commitment exhibited at the (local) steward’s convention, San Manuel’s represented employees are in good shape,” Hartigan said.
Local 9400 organized the Viejas Indian Casino about a year ago and is working to organize Indian casinos at the Pochanga reservation.
“We finally have a union, and we’re happy that it’s CWA,” said Cecilia Thompson, a housekeeper at the casino and a newly trained steward in Local 9400. “We are protected, and our union gives us the voice that we’ve needed.”
Their three-year contract brings the casino workers annual raises of 3.5 to 5 percent depending on job title, time and a half pay for holidays worked, an improved vacation schedule, a 40-hour week with paid overtime, a seniority plan and other improvements.
And, for the first time, they have the security of a grievance and arbitration procedure and just cause for dismissal language.
Neither the pact nor the organizing victory — the second at an Indian casino for Local 9400 and President Micheal Hartigan — came easy, local Vice President Anita Humphrey said.
She and Local 9400 Vice President Alvin Beck praised the work of local Organizers Osmin Herrera and Miguel Alvarez.
“We were there almost every day,” Humphrey said. “People came and talked to us mornings or evenings, or before or after lunch. Within three weeks we had over 70 percent signed up on membership and authorization cards.”
In December 1998, the local sent a letter to the tribe, asking for recognition based on card check showing majority support for a union.
Changes in California law and changes in tribal administration served to slow the recognition process, Humphrey said. It wasn’t until January 2000 that Hartigan, Humphrey and Steward Jeff Finley were able to enter into negotiations with the tribe’s business agent. About 200 workers attended monthly update meetings to voice concerns during bargaining, Humphrey said.
Over the summer, the local trained Thompson and several other stewards to represent the casino service workers, including cashiers, food runners, cooks, and maintenance and sanitation employees.
“With the exuberance and commitment exhibited at the (local) steward’s convention, San Manuel’s represented employees are in good shape,” Hartigan said.
Local 9400 organized the Viejas Indian Casino about a year ago and is working to organize Indian casinos at the Pochanga reservation.