By Barrett Newkirk
February 23, 2008 09:50 pm
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A single labor union will likely represent most of the new employees hired by Hoosier Park.
The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, which represents construction workers at the expanding horse-racing track, is also in the process of determining pay and benefits for close to 400 casino-floor employees, said Kevin Marshall, a business representative for the union.
Hoosier Park recently began the hiring process for at least 500 new positions, including gaming attendants, food service workers and office staffing. The horse track will become a 24-hour gambling site this summer with slot machines and several restaurants.
Jobs like casino money managers and program coordinators are “uncharted waters” for the IBEW, Marshall said, but the union does represent horse-track employees in the Chicago area.
The pay rate for the IBEW jobs could go as high as $14.50 an hour, Marshall said. “It’s easiest to say the average wage would be around $12.50.”
Ernie Yelton, director of the Indiana Gaming Commission, said union representation on the state’s current casino floors is “basically nonexistent,” but last year employees of the Casino Aztar in Evansville approved representation by the United Auto Workers.
Jim Brown, general manager at Hoosier Park, said the casino is also speaking with the union Unite Here to expand the contract it offers food service employees to new positions coming in as a result of the expansion.
A phone message was left with Unite Here’s Indianapolis office but was not returned.
Details on all of the casino’s job openings, including minimum qualifications and an online application, are available at www.hoosierpark.com. Jobs are posted as openings become available. Some jobs require background checks and a license from the Indiana Gaming Commission.
About 80 percent of the new jobs coming to Hoosier Park will be full-time and include benefits.
“We want to be competitive in what we do,” Brown said. “Our pay rates have not been finalized yet but will be consistent with other Indiana casinos.”
According to Tammy Knox, media relations director at Hoosier Park, new jobs are being posted daily. All applications will be done online. Those without access to a computer can go to the Human Resources trailer at Hoosier Park where computers are set up to file applications.
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About the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers:
- The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers represents approximately 750,000 members who work in a wide variety of fields, including utilities, construction, telecommunications, broadcasting, manufacturing, railroads and government. The IBEW has members in both the United States and Canada and stands out among the American unions in the AFL-CIO because it is among the largest and has members in so many skilled occupations.
The IBEW began in 1890 at a national exposition on electricity in St. Louis. Electrical workers traveled from all over the country to wire and light the exposition and in their off time discussed their wage of 20 cents a day.
--- Local contact: 1828 N. Meridian Street, Suite 205, Indianapolis, IN 46202 phone: (317) 923-2596
Source: ibew.org
About Unite Here:
- Formerly called the Union of Needletrades, Textiles and Industrial Employees and HERE Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees International Union, merged on July 8, 2004
- The union represents more than 440,000 active members and more than 400,000 retirees throughout North America
- UNITE HERE boasts a diverse membership, comprised largely of immigrants and including high percentages of African-American, Latino, and Asian-American workers. The majority of UNITE HERE members are women
- UNITE organized the JP Stevens campaign, which resulted in victory in 1980 after a 17-year struggle and was depicted in the Oscar winning film “Norma Rae.”
- Local contact: Office of Indiana State Council Chicago and Midwest Regional Joint Board, Pat Cronin, state director, 3901 North Meridian, Street Suite 34, Indianapolis, IN 46208, phone: (317) 923-2463
--- Source: unitehere.org
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