Las Vegas Casino Union Tells Nevada Gaming Control Board Female Workers Remain Unsafe

Posted on: September 8, 2018, 08:00h. 

Last updated on: September 7, 2018, 01:09h.

Devin O'Connor @CasinoorgDevinO Read More
Expertise: Asia Pacific Gaming, Commercial Gaming, Legislation, Politics.

Members of Las Vegas’ largest casino union told the Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) this week that female workers remain vulnerable to sexual harassment and other unsafe employment conditions.

casino union female sexual harassment
Female casino union workers told the Nevada Gaming Control Board (pictured) they feel unsafe on the job. Chairperson Becky Harris is the first female to oversee the state agency. (Image: KM Cannon/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

The Culinary Union appeared before the state gaming regulator to provide testimony as the agency considers adopting regulatory standards to better protect women employed in the gaming industry. Several union members spoke publicly of their harassment experiences.

Xstal Campbell, a former dancing bartender at The D Casino in downtown Las Vegas, told the NGCB that she endured sexual harassment from a manager for nearly a year. She recounted being inappropriately touched by the male supervisor, rubbed her shoulders, touched her hair, and grab her lower waist.

I chose to come forward because I reached my breaking point. I could only tolerate so much. Enough was enough,” Campbell said.

In a statement from the Culinary Union, Campbell said D Casino human resources’ response was to interrogate her as to whether she elicited the harassment. Campbell said she felt targeted by management over the next several months, and was suspended twice before eventually being fired in May.

The Culinary Union represents 50,000 workers employed in such capacities as kitchen workers, waitstaff, bartenders, housekeeping, and bellmen.

Harassment Widespread

The NGCB is reviewing better standards to protect workers in the wake of the numerous misconduct allegations made against Steve Wynn that are said to have spanned several decades.

Women who claimed the billionaire acted inappropriately towards them have reported their grievances fell on deaf ears in management. In one case, a spa employee said her Wynn Resorts bosses told her to keep her mouth shut after she relayed the casino tycoon had sexually assaulted her.

“Women in Las Vegas are not safe when it comes to sexual harassment,” Campbell declared. “We are not protected by anyone.”

Another female union worker told the NGCB a guest asked her for “another kind of service” and that he would pay extra for it. When she relayed the information to her supervisors, they laughed it off and said at least he offered to pay up. Another woman said a couple entered a hotel room she was cleaning, shut the door, and asked if she was interested in participating in a sexual act.

Board Receives Recommendations

As contracts expired at 34 Las Vegas properties on June 1, the casino union authorized a strike if new terms weren’t reached in a timely manner. The Culinary Union sought higher wages, protection of existing benefits, and increased workplace safety measures.

A walkout has been avoided, and new five-year contracts have been reached at all but four properties. They are Margaritaville Las Vegas, Treasure Island, Golden Gate, and The D. The Culinary Union made recommendations to the NGCB on how to best protect against sexual harassment.

We’ve noticed that sometimes when workers go to HR they dismiss or try and hush it up,” union spokesperson Bethany Khan explained.

As such, the casino union is recommending that the state board implement more rigorous reporting procedures, and the elimination of nondisclosure agreements in any arranged settlement.