Unions and Tracks Say No to Slot Machines

Jack Gribbon, the state political director for Unite Here – the group that represents union workers at hotels and slot machine and gambling casinos, has a problem with the slot machine compact signed by the tracks and Governor Schwarzenegger. The racetracks also have a problem with the slot machine compacts, and they are teaming up to do something about it.

Labor unions and racetrack officials are meeting with new legislators to discuss how they feel about the slot machine compacts at a conference at La Costa. The spa is the perfect backdrop for mixing business and pleasure.

The unions feel that the slot machine compacts do not allow for the tribal casino workers to have a chance at signing with a union. They say that the tribes undermine their efforts and want provisions for the unions in the slot machine compacts. The racetracks say that the slot machines at the tribal casinos give them an unfair advantage over the tracks, and they will not be able to compete with other states without slot machines of their own. The tracks are asking the state for slot machines or for some other form of financial assistance.

"I will be talking about how my union is helping to build a middle class in this state by organizing in sectors of industry that are the growth industry," Gribbon said.

"The amended compacts are going to adversely impact racing, so racing should be entitled to something," said Jack Liebau, president of Hollywood Park and Bay Meadows race tracks.

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