Chukchansi reaches deal with union for resort workers

[Omaha Steve]

Source: Fresno Bee

BY MARC BENJAMIN

Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino officials confirmed Friday that they have reached a five-year collective bargaining agreement for its 700 union workers.

The Coarsegold-area resort, closed since last October, is projected to reopen in September pending approval from the National Indian Gaming Commission and state Attorney General.

Christian Goode, the resort’s chief operating officer, said the five-year deal provides “good-paying jobs,” raises and low-cost health vision and dental insurance for employees with San Jose-based Unite Here, Local 19. The deal with the union includes raises for workers above the rate of inflation.

Unite Here represents workers in the hotel, gaming, food service, airport, textile, manufacturing, distribution, laundry and transportation industries. The union previously represented Chukchansi Gold employees before the casino was closed last year.

FULL story at link.


Read more: http://www.fresnobee.com/news/local/article31174823.html

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1. What About The In-feuding Amongst The Tribal Leaders?

I live in the general area where the casino is located (Yosemite), and all along, the general understanding around here has been that the casino was shut down because of in-feuding amongst two factions of the tribal leaders. I know that last year when they shut it down, the unemployment factor amongst the peon tribal employees at the casino really took a hard hit on many families here that are struggling to survive. All because their tribal leaders couldn't get along together.

I never gamble, cough - flush my meager money down the toilet - cough cough, but I used to eat many meals at some of the restaurants that were located inside the casino, because I can't cook very well. They used to serve great veggie omelets there, 24 hrs. of the day, and the staff always treated me very well because they knew I was local and would always tip at least 20%.