U.S casino workers across the country are seeking for their employers to provide them with protective equipment before they can return to work. Around Mid-March 2020 many US casinos started closing down due to the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic that has claimed thousands of lives around the globe. Since the end of April, Many of these casinos have been announcing their plans to reopen casinos and resume operations as the situation is getting better.
Casino workers have been requesting for tough cleaning and social distancing policies as well as protective equipment before they can return to work.
Casino workers representatives Unite Here and the Culinary workers on Tuesday issued guidelines they want to see being done at all the gambling venues before the casino workers can return to work at these casinos. These two clearly stated the requirements that match every worker from dealers, cocktail servers to room cleaners, kitchen and laundry workers.
US Casino Workers Guidelines
In stating what the casino workers need in the guidelines some of the things include
- Adequate supplies of personal protective equipment
- Contact tracing of the suspected
- COVID-19 testing fully paid by the employer
- Immunity from retaliation in case an employee refuses to work in a situation they feel is unsafe.
- Room service food carts to not be wheeled into the guest rooms. Also, the same carts are not to be used in transporting clean and dirty dishes.
- High touch surfaces including doorknobs, handles, telephones, light switches, chairs, tables and work surfaces, desktops, kiosks, washroom and menus are to be disinfected at an hourly basis.
- Elevators should be cleaned countless times
- All guests to receive masks upon arrival and to have doors opened for them to avoid them touching the doors.
Most of the guidelines stated by the casino workers have already been mentioned by the casinos. At the end of April, most casinos started showing that they were making plans of reopening upon given the permission. In preparing to reopen they are also considering workers as well as players safety, therefore implementing different things into the casino including limiting the number of players that can sit on a table and put barriers between dealers and players to avoid close contact.
What Gaming Regulators Think
Although some of the guidelines involving social distancing measures have already been suggested by casino operators, some of the guidelines go beyond that. This then raises the question as to who will be paying for these heavy responsibilities. This comes after looking at the financial pressure that companies are facing. The casino worker’s unions have ensured that the gaming regulators and not necessarily the company have the final word on the precautions that will make it.
Workers are not taking it easy on their employers as they are also scared for their lives which is why they have brought this matter their attention. Most casinos with plans to reopen have already started implementing some of the basics of the guidelines. These include Wynn Resorts, Hard Rock and also Las Vegas Sands.
Conclusion
Although all workers are eager to return to work and to move on with their lives, they are also fearful of getting sick. That is the reason why they have put these measures in place. The guidelines stated by the casino workers union may seem unreasonable and too difficult. But it is also in the best interest of not only workers but the guests to the casinos. With casinos planning to reopen soon, workers are hoping that the environments would be safe. Some are even refusing to go back till their concerns have been taken seriously.
US casino Workers FAQS
[accordiongroup id=”20″][accordion group=”20″ title=”When Will US casinos Reopen?” active=”true”]The exact dates and time to which US casinos will reopen is not yet established. However, with the issue of the pandemic reaching a controllable stage many casino operators have put the plans to reopen in motion. Casinos have started putting some safety measure for the benefit of both players and workers.[/accordion][accordion group=”20″ title=”What Are The Casino Workers Asking For?” active=””]The casino workers have asked for protective measures to be put in place before they return to work. This is so that they can be protected against coronavirus. They have asked for protective equipment as well as tough new cleaning and social distancing policies.[/accordion][accordion group=”20″ title=”Who Is Representing the Casino Workers In The US?” active=””]US casino workers are being represented by the Unite Here and Culinary Workers Union. These companies represent casino employees across the US.[/accordion][accordion group=”20″ title=”Are Casino Operators Willing To Do What Workers Are Asking For?” active=””]Casino operators have already started implementing some of the basic things sked by the workers like providing masks and disinfecting. The worry is on some of the harder guidelines as some operators cannot pay for all due to financial strains.[/accordion][accordion group=”20″ title=”What Are The Symptoms Of Coronavirus?” active=””]There are many symptoms of coronavirus. These include a cold, trouble in breathing, sore throat, fever among others.[/accordion][/accordiongroup]