SUMMER 2011
Sahara Hotel Closes - Page 6
Union Protest at Palace Station Biggest in 10 Years
T
hursday, June 2nd was a great day weather wise, not too hot, not too cold. But it was extremely hot at Palace Station. Local 226 organized a massive demonstration and over 150 Culinary and Bartender members got arrested in a civil disobedience.
Civil disobediences date back in history but the most prominent use in the U.S. was during the Civil Rights Movement of the early 60’s and union organizing drives in the 1930’s. Massive demonstrations were held to protest discrimination against African Americans over civil rights and rank-and-file auto workers occupied factories in their struggle to organize. Over time the demonstrations proved successful by calling attention to injustices that resulted in legislation making racial equality the law of the land and auto workers won their fight against the companies, laying the ground work for the middle class. Now Station Casinos has fired Latino workers at an alarming rate. National Labor Relations Board complaints with nearly 200 charges have been filed against Stations. 150 Culinary Union Workers showing support for Station workers were willing to sit down on Sahara and be arrested to call attention to Stations alleged illegal acts.