The Wynn Tips Controversy: Court Papers

Are Dealers Unionized in Las Vegas?

Dealers in Las Vegas have tried to unionize before but largely failed. When Steve Wynn changed the dealers tipping policy in 2006 that brought back the drive to unionize.

No local union was willing to go against Steve Wynn until the Transport Workers Union of America (TWU) stood up and supported the dealers. It has taken years for the dealers in Las Vegas to get together, sign their union cards and then have a vote for a union. The casinos have been using strong union busting tactics to stop the union from growing and its worked because all but two casinos voted no for a union. In 2010 Caesar’s Palace and Wynn voted for a union. (Sun)

Right-to-Work Law

The Right-to-Work law makes it illegal to refuse employment to a person for the sole reason that he or she is not a union member. (Dictionary.com)

Nevada is a Right-to-Work state. (NRS 613.230 - NRS 613.300) This means that dealers who vote to have a union get a labor contract that effects all the dealers at that casino, but only the dealers who actually want to be members have to pay dues.

At-Will Employee

Nevada is an at-will employment state. Under this system, your employer may fire you for any reason and at any time with a few exceptions. The exceptions include terminating your employment because of your race, age, sex, national origin, pregnancy, or disability. You may also be exempt from employment-at-will if you signed an employment contract with your employer or you are covered by a collective bargaining agreement. ( ehow.com ) ( Wikipedia )

Court Papers

What's New

• 2016, February 23 - The Ninth Circuit Court Appeals Decision (pdf)

• 2013, October 31 - An Appeal Decision (pdf)

• 2011, November 8 - Judge reverses order (pdf)

• 2010, August 10 - Dealers appeal to Labor Commission ruling (pdf)

• 2010, July - Labor Commission Hearing (pdf)

• 2010, March 22 - Labor Commission Post Hearing Brief (pdf)

• 2008, October 9 - Supreme Court Ruling (pdf)

More Information

KNPR State of Nevada

What's New

• 2016, February 29 - Wynn Resorts Mull Next Step In Issue of Tip-Sharing with Support Staff

• 2013, November 1 - Nevada Supreme Court Upholds Tip Sharing

• 2011, November 22 - Wynn tip policy

• 2010, July 30 - Wynn dealers

• 2009, June 8 - Consultant or Union Buster?

• 2007, May 14 - Wynn Unionization

• 2006, August 24 - Wynn tips

PDFs

What's New

• 2014, May 28 - UNLV Law Paper on the Dealer's Tip Controversy

• 2009, Spring - Legal Regulations of Tip Pooling

News Articles

What's New

• ♦ 2016, September 9 - Updates from the Dealer's Lawyers

• ♦ 2016, March 14 - Dealers Sue Steve Wynn Over Tip Pooling

• ♦ 2016, March 1 - Ninth Circuit "Tips" Against Tip-Pooling Policies

• ♦ 2016, February 26 - Wynn-Encore dealers cheer ruling on tips

• ♠ 2011, December 6 - Supervisors do a lot to earn tips

• ♠ 2011, November 27 - Dealers can leave Wynn at any time

• ♠ 2011, November 22 - Caesars facing suit over California dealers' tips

• ♠ 2011, November 22 - Tip pooling isn't right

• ♠ 2011, November 15 - Tip pooling goes beyond what's fair

• ♠ 2011, November 10 - Judge rejects Wynn tip-pooling policy; company to appeal

• ♠ 2011, August 14 - Wynn tip sharing dispute aired again in court

• ♠ 2011, August 1 - Suit against Wynn tip-sharing policy dismissed

• ♠ 2011, June 23 - Wynn tips sharing policy dispute intensifies

• ♠ 2011, June 6 - Here's a tip: It looks like Steve Wynn wins again

• ♠ 2011, June 6 - Here's a tip: It looks like Steve Wynn wins again

• ♠ 2011, April 11 - Wynn club workers want to air tip dispute in court

• ♠ 2011, March 23 - Caesars Palace dealers resoundingly reject Wynn-style tips policy

• ♠ 2011, January 20 - Wynn nightclub workers say management committed to tip sharing

• ♣ 2010, December 16 - Judge orders Wynn Las Vegas to reinstate fired dealer

• ♣ 2010, December 2 - Appeals court rejects challenge to casino tip-sharing plan

• ♣ 2010, November 11 - Wynn Resorts 'very happy' with union agreement

• ♣ 2010, November 9 - New contract gives Wynn dealers more job protection

• ♣ 2010, November 2 - Wynn Las Vegas dealers OK their first labor contract

• ♣ 2010, October 25 - Nightclub workers sue Wynn over tip pooling

• ♣ 2010, August 13 - Wynn dealers appeal ruling over tip sharing

• ♣ 2010, July 27 - Wynn's win for restaurateurs

• ♣ 2010, July 18 - Dealers say supervisors getting share of tips creates conflict of interest

• ♣ 2010, July 12 - Official: Casinos can split dealers' tips with supervisors

• ♣ 2010, June 14 - Caesars Palace mulling change on dealer tips

• ♣ 2010, March 22 - Former Hard Rock casino workers sued over theft of $831,519

• ♣ 2010, March 12 - Wynn Las Vegas, dealers close to union contract

• ♣ 2010, February 13 - Casino dealers stymied in reaching labor agreement

• ♣ 2010, January 18 - Caesars Palace plays hardball with dealers, asserts right to tips

• ♥ 2009, September 17 - Caesars Palace dealers protest on Strip

• ♥ 2009, July 13 - Wynn dealers persist in fight to topple tip-sharing policy

• ♥ 2009, July 11 - Lawsuit says tip policy at Wynn violates federal rules

• ♥ 2009, July 10 - Casino dealers bring tip-sharing case to federal court

• ♥ 2009, July 8 - Casinos In Court: Testimony heard in Wynn case

• ♥ 2009, May 6 - Hard bargaining or bad faith at Wynn?

• ♥ 2009, March 9 - No contract, but dealers benefit from going union

• ♦ 2008, October 9 - Court: Wynn tip dispute to be decided by Labor Commissioner

• ♦ 2008, August 7 - Tip-sharing cloud forming over Encore, Wynn critics say

• ♦ 2008, June 24 - For Wynn dealers, deal slow to come

• ♦ 2008, April 20 - Group opposing Wynn tip sharing plan to protest Culinary role

• ♦ 2008, March 1 - Union's plan: Win dealers' gratitude, then their votes

• ♦ 2008, February 27 - No win-win for Wynn, former dealer

• ♠ 2007, May 14 - Casino Industry: Dealers at Wynn resort ratify union

• ♠ 2007, Feb. 28 - Wynn dealers accuse chief of losing temper

• ♣ 2006, October 5 - Post-Gazette.com / The Wall Street Journal

• ♣ 2006, October 5 - Post-Gazette.com / The Wall Street Journal

• ♣ 2006, September 5 - Dealers fuming at Wynn Resorts over tip sharing

• ♣ 2006, Sept. 22 - Tips & Taxes: Wynn dealers sue over tip policy

• ♣ 2006, August 23 - Wynn alters rules on tips

Miscellaneous

• Wikipedia - Steve Wynn

• LVRJ - John Smith: It seems Las Vegas hasn't done enough for Steve Wynn

• Michael Tanchek - Nevada Labor Commissioner

• International Union Of Gaming Employees

What Dealers Think About the Tipping Policy

• TWU Forum

• Dealer's Forum

• TWU Local 721

• Facebook Group - Tell Michael Tanchek That We Are Sick Of The Delays And Want A Ruling!