Seneca Niagara casino workers propose to form a union

Posted: January 6, 2025, 09:51 pm.

Last updated: January 6, 2025, 10:01 am.

Employees at the Seneca Niagara Resort and Casino in Niagara Falls, NY are seeking to form a union and begin collective bargaining negotiations with their employer, Seneca Gaming Corporation.

Vernon Lohan, a former Seneca Niagara employee who now helps organize efforts, said unionization efforts began on Dec. 12. niagara gazette,

“You don't get a proper handshake there,” Lohan said.

A former food and beverage employee at a tribal casino said employees were fired for minor complaints that should have resulted in warnings or disciplinary action. Lohan also claims that employees deserve better pay and benefits.

Lohan is working with the Teamsters Local 449 union. The Buffalo trade group represents workers in a variety of industries.

Union efforts failed at first

Seneca Niagara workers tried unsuccessfully to form a union in 2004 and 2005. To organize, at least 30% of a company's workforce must sign petition cards stating that they support forming a union.

If the 30% threshold is realized, the Teamsters would work with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), an independent federal agency tasked with unionizing private sector employees and ensuring fair labor practices nationwide. Protects rights.

The NLRB will then conduct the election and tally the results. If there is a vote in favor of forming a union, federal law states that Seneca Gaming Corporation must bargain in good faith with the Teamsters.

Although Seneca Niagara is a tribal resort on sovereign lands, federal labor law requires that tribal companies that employ people from outside their reservation follow the National Labor Relations Act, which is regulated by the NLRB.

seneca niagara first

If Seneca Niagara unionizes, the tribe's two other casino resorts — Seneca Allegany Resort in Salamanca and Seneca Buffalo Creek in Casino and Buffalo — would see similar bargaining efforts.

Seneca Niagara is the largest casino of the three with over 2,500 slot machines, 60 live dealer table games, and a sportsbook. The resort's AAA Four Diamond hotel features more than 600 rooms and top-tier amenities such as spas and salons, high-end retail shopping, an indoor pool, a fitness center and an array of restaurants, bars and lounges.

The tribe shares 25% of its slot revenues with the state. However, Senecas wants to eliminate the revenue-sharing terms with a new Class III gaming compact. Negotiations continue with New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D).