On November 15, 2011, clergy and lay leaders from across the Las Vegas Valley, community allies, and members of the Culinary and Bartenders unions joined Station Casinos workers as the faith leaders made their first public statement calling on Station Casinos to ensure the just treatment of workers. The event in front of the company’s headquarters at Red Rock Casino Resort included public prayer and blessings as the group shed light on the moral issues at stake in Las Vegas. Clergy drew attention to the company’s mistreatment of workers including its failure to respect federal labor laws.
“From the Scriptures, there is no question that God is just,” said Rev. Leonard B. Jackson, one of the clergy who spoke out against the company’s treatment of workers. “As his servants, it is our moral responsibility to advocate for the just treatment of all of God’s children, including Station workers.”
Members of the faith community have met with workers from Station Casinos and have been moved to action after learning about the company’s treatment of workers. Faith leaders are concerned about the recent recommended decision issued by the National Labor Relations Board Administrative Law Judge in which he found the company guilty of violating workers’ lawful rights. (Update: the company has appealed the decision.) They are also alarmed that workers have not had a wage increase or contributions made to their retirement in almost five years since a management-led buyout allowed a small group of insiders to take $660 million out of the company.
“The prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah caution God’s people against the accumulation of wealth at the expense of the average person,” said Rabbi Mel Hecht, who also called on the company to improve its treatment of workers. “We call upon Station Casino to share the wealth that workers have played a fundamental and critical role in helping them make.”
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