Steve Wynn told his dealers that he made a “big mistake” in deciding to allow supervisors to share in their tips, but his concession was not enough to keep the dealers from voting to organize a union.

Dealers voted last month 444-149 to be represented by the Transportation Workers Union of America.

“It’s huge,” said organizer Dennis Laux, a baccarat dealer who helped organize the union push. “We’ve taken one of the largest casinos in Nevada and done something that Steve Wynn said we would never accomplish.”

According to an audio recording posted on local websites, Wynn apologized for his tip-pooling decision.

“I made a big mistake,” Wynn said. “I did not realize the extent of the mistake I had made until yesterday. I was more focused on the right thing I did for the bosses, than the wrong thing I did to the dealers.

“I want the chance to do what I can... to put the smile back on your face.”

Wynn Las Vegas did not challenge the vote, leading to the formation of a new Local 721 union. A bargaining committee and officers will be elected to deal with the first order of business:

“That tip sharing, we definitely want that back in our pockets,” Laux said.

Sources say, however, that is unlikely to happen, and other measures that will be imposed during contract negotiations may make the dealers’ decision even more risky.

By Greg Jones

Greg Jones is managing editor of Casino Connection Nevada, as well as associate editor of Global Gaming Business magazine.

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