NITRO, W.Va. — Owners at Mardi Gras Casino have agreed to remove language from a health insurance proposal that upset the union to the point of authorizing a strike last week, but the local union president can’t guarantee the union will vote to accept.
“We’re pleased with the language change, that they removed the proposal to restrict our ability to bargain in the future, said Ron Brady. “We’ll present it to the membership. The total increase on a year’s time is $1100.”
The current insurance policy at the casino pays 90 percent of the premium. The casino wants to change the premium to be closer to the national average, which is a 75-25 split. Brady said the new policy was close to 75-25, but both the premium and the language was important, especially to those earning less.
“Both are important. Especially when several of those members make $10 or something an hour. When the premium increase goes up like that it’s hard on those folks.”
Brady said that many employees haven’t seen a salary increase since 2011. He couldn’t say for certain whether the proposal would be approved in a vote Friday.
“I’ll take it back to them. If the increased cost is one that they can accept, we’ll have a deal,” Brady said.
There are 350 members of the United Steel Workers union at the Nitro-based casino. The group includes table games dealers, slot machine attendants, hotel workers, dog racing staff and other personnel, with the exception of security and concessions.