Copyright © 2004 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved

Workers to Cite Egregious Conduct by Agua Caliente Tribe at Hearing Presided by Pastor David Pelletier, Palm Springs Metropolitan Community Church, Sponsored by Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees International Union

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - Employees from Agua Caliente Casino and the Spa Resort Hotel and Casino in the Palm Springs area will travel to Sacramento on Tuesday, March 16 to testify before a Workplace Fairness Commission chaired by Pastor David Pelletier about the egregious conduct of the Tribe's casino management and demand that worker protections and affordable health care provisions be included as part of the renegotiated Agua Caliente Tribal-State Compact. A dark screen will protect the identities of some employees that fear publicly citing discrimination and unfair working conditions will cost them their job.

Employees from the Agua Caliente's two Palm Springs area casinos will testify how the lack of affordable health care has forced them to rely on taxpayer-funded programs for the poor. Employees will also testify that the Agua Caliente tribe has used surveillance, interrogation, threats of firing, threats of loss of benefits, discriminatory treatment of union supporters, and threats of closure to intimidate employees who speak out about the poor working conditions at these casinos.

In contrast, employees from Cache Creek Casino Resort, northwest of Sacramento, will testify to the improved working conditions, better pay, and affordable health care offered to them as a result of a mutually respectful relationship between their union and the Rumsey Band of Wintun Indians.

---

Tuesday, March 16, 2004 - 10:30 a.m.: Press conference
11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.: Workplace Fairness Commission hearing
Sheraton Grand Hotel - Magnolia Room - 1230 J Street, Sacramento

Participants:
State Senator Gloria Romero, Democratic Caucus Chair
Benjamin Ebink, Chief Consultant to Assembly Labor & Employment
Committee, representing Assemblyman Paul Koretz
Pastor David Pelletier, Palm Springs Metropolitan Community Church
Father Louis Vitale, St. Boniface Catholic Church, San Francisco
Nan Lashuay, UCSF Community Occupational Health Project
Frances C. Schreiberg, San Francisco Bay Area Chapter of National Lawyers

Guild:
Maria Baker, Change Attendant, Agua Caliente Casino
Sajid Roman, Barback, Spa Resort Hotel and Casino
Wally Leydelmeyer, Slot Technician, Agua Caliente Casino
Denise De Groff, Maintenance Engineer, Agua Caliente Casino
Sondra Goeppner, Cocktail Waitress, Agua Caliente Casino
Edith Hayes, Wardrobe Seamstress, Cache Creek Casino Resort
Roxana Mendoza, Cocktail Waitress, Cache Creek Casino Resort
Dawn Douthit, Bingo Floor Clerk, Cache Creek Casino Resort
Marc Kellond, Cook, Casino San Pablo

Source: Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees International Union