Thread: Las Vegas Preparing for May 1st Boycott

http://nctimes.com/articles/2006/04/...2306172929.txt


Las Vegas resorts, restaurants prepare for immigration protest

By: Associated Press Wire Reports -

LAS VEGAS (AP) -- Casino resorts and Mexican restaurants in Las Vegas are preparing for turmoil on May 1, when many workers are expected to miss work in a national day of protest meant to draw attention to how important immigrants are to the U.S. economy.

Javier Barajas, owner of the Lindo Michoacan restaurant, said he'll lose about $14,000 by closing his restaurant for a day so that his 82 employees can participate in the protest.

"I have no choice," Barajas said. "My employees already told me nobody's going to show up to work."

Several other local Hispanic-owned businesses also are planning to close. Some Hispanic employees are expected to skip shifts, and students might decide to miss school.

It will be the eighth immigration-related protest held this year in the Las Vegas Valley.

The biggest, a march to the federal courthouse on April 10, drew about 3,500 protesters. They called on federal lawmakers to avoid classifying illegal immigrants as felons, to reunite families and to create a timely path to citizenship for newcomers.

Casino representatives said they were not sure what to expect on May 1, but have asked their employees to put in for a vacation day if they plan to stay home from work.

"We absolutely encourage our employees to make their voices heard in the political process on their own time," said David Strow, spokesman for Harrah's Entertainment Inc., owner of Caesars Palace and other casinos on the Las Vegas Strip.

If employees are scheduled to work but don't show up, their absence will be counted as a "no call, no show," he said.

Spokeswoman Yvette Monet of MGM Mirage Inc., owner of The Bellagio and Mandalay Bay, said the company supports "responsible immigration reform."

"We also understand our employees' concerns about the immigration measures that are being proposed," she said.

Employees who want to take part in the protest "are simply being asked to submit their request for time off through the normal departmental procedures."

Some immigration activists don't agree with the boycott strategy, saying skipping out on work and school sends the wrong message.

"We support the idea behind the protest," Latin Chamber of Commerce chairman Robert Gomez said. "We believe there's a more constructive way to get the message out."

Culinary union spokeswoman Pilar Weiss agreed.

"Bringing the economy to a halt is not really the effective way to get the message across that we support comprehensive immigration reform," she said. "For us, telling people to risk their jobs and go against their employer or have their kids ditch school isn't the right focus."

Weiss suggested that supporters instead sign petitions or call legislators with their opinions.

Gomez, who owns Magic Brite Janitorial and employs 180 people, suggested that those who support the protest should instead wear a special pin or T-shirt advocating rights for immigrants so they won't get in trouble at work. He said he has no plans to close his business on May 1.

"My people agree with what I'm saying," he said of his employees, most of whom he said are minorities. "Let's do it in a way that won't hurt anybody."

Reading this makes me angry. Vegas used to be a fun place for regular folks to get an inexpensive hotel room and a good buffet on the cheap. Then it suddenly started charging more for rooms and most of the buffets are gone ( and just try and find penny slots that aren't progressive ). Al these big expensive hotels went up that cater to the rich, billions are spent on making bigger and better hotels. And Vegas USED to be a place a person could go and get a good job. It is infuriating to see how these casino owners and restaurant owners can spend their billions and their millions BUT they pretty much have busted the unions and now hire illegals by the truckload. Maybe we should see just HOW MUCH of Vegas is shut down and decide to vacation in cities that don't hire as many illegals.

"Spokeswoman Yvette Monet of MGM Mirage Inc., owner of The Bellagio and Mandalay Bay, said the company supports "responsible immigration reform."

"We also understand our employees' concerns about the immigration measures that are being proposed," she said. "

BOYCOTT THE MGM GRAND, BELLAGIO, AND MANDALAY BAY! If you are thinking of traveling to Las Vegas, ask your booking agent to honor your boycott! If you have a room booked there, CHANGE IT to a corporate chain that does not support any type of illegal immigration. Let them know why you changed too, and the person who is responsible for your decision ---Yvette Monet!

Statements like hers are to be taken as a per se endorsement of Illegal Immigration! PATHETIC!

My personal prospective is. Gambling has destroyed a lot of Life's. I have seen many personally. So I couldn't care less if MGM goes belly up.

If employees are scheduled to work but don't show up, their absence will be counted as a "no call, no show," he said.

no call, no show = You're Fired

Javier Barajas, owner of the Lindo Michoacan restaurant, said he'll lose about $14,000 by closing his restaurant for a day so that his 82 employees can participate in the protest.

Another one for WeHireAliens.com?