Casino workers in Vegas sue over coronavirus safety concerns

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

By KEN RITTER

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Unions representing 65,000 Las Vegas-area casino workers accused some resort operators on Monday of putting employees at risk of illness and death during the coronavirus pandemic by skimping on safety measures like a requirement for mask-wearing.

“They want to work, but they want to work safe,” Culinary Union executive Geoconda Argüello-Kline said of hotel housekeepers, cooks, bartenders, vehicle valets and others. “We’re going to do whatever we need to do to protect these workers, these families and this community.”

A lawsuit filed Monday in U.S. District Court in Las Vegas does not directly cite the death last week of Adolfo Fernandez, 51, a Caesars Palace porter and union member from Las Vegas who was diagnosed with the COVID-19 respiratory illness after returning to work when casinos reopened June 4 after a three-month shutdown.

However, Fernandez’s daughter, Irma Fernandez, told reporters that her father had expressed worries that he would become sick.



FILE - In this April 28, 2020, file photo, the sun sets behind casinos and hotels along the Las Vegas Strip in Las Vegas. Unions representing 65,000 Las Vegas-area casino workers are suing some resort operators, alleging that employees are being put at risk of illness and death due to skimpy safety measures during the coronavirus pandemic. A lawsuit filed Monday, June 29, 2020, in U.S. District Court in Las Vegas does not directly cite the death last week of Adolfo Fernandez, a 51-year-old Caesars Palace porter and union member who was diagnosed with the COVID-19 respiratory illness after returning to work when casinos reopened June 4. (AP Photo/John Locher, File)


Read more: https://apnews.com/871c541eee47f98f135e6fbd7d496037

[Buckeye_Democrat]

1. I didn't realize SOME casinos opened that early.

So ridiculous and sad!

[BigmanPigman]

2. I have seen the BS reports of casino managers showing off their extensive

safety measures BEFORE they reopened. Then I saw pictures inside AFTER they were opened...no masks, no social distancing, etc. It was all a BS PR scam. Workers are expendable to them, Bezos and other business owners who love $$$$$$ more than anyone and anything.

[Raine]

4. Apparently customers are expendable too

I've heard people in casinos all crowd together with no social distancing inspite of what the casinos claim.

[BigmanPigman]

5. Yes, that is what I saw...not a single mask

in a photo showing over 100 people in the casino at various games. A lot were obese which is another risk factor. They must think they are invincible. Hope they have a lot of health and life insur before they gamble with their lives.

[Raine]

3. No way in hell would I go to as casino in Vegas or

anywhere else!

[Flaleftist]

6. They want people drunk when they gamble. It's hard to drink when wearing a mask.