Published: September 09, 2008 10:30 pm      

Union pushing gambling at The Greenbrier

Commission asked to put measure on November ballot

LEWISBURG — Greenbrier hotel union officials rolled the dice Tuesday and appeared before the Greenbrier County Commission, asking the governing body to place a gaming referendum on November’s ballot.

The commission responded by calling for an emergency meeting Thursday to decide the issue.

Peter Bostic, speaking for the Council of Labor Unions, said The Greenbrier lost $39 million between 2003 and 2006 and its revenues “remained stagnant” during the same period. The numbers were provided to the union by resort officials, he said

Bostic told commissioners that in order to “ensure the 1,600 remaining good-paying jobs with quality benefits,” the community needs to get involved and approve table games for The Greenbrier.

About a dozen or more union members attended the meeting, along with lead union negotiator, Harold Bock.

“All of these are in severe jeopardy if additional revenue cannot be found for the company and this may be the only salvation for our jobs and the county’s largest employer,” Bostic said. “It has become clear out of the 11 months of negotiating that the workers are facing demands that we cannot afford and the company does not have the revenue for these jobs based on current levels.”

In 2000, county voters rejected gaming at The Greenbrier despite a million-dollar promotional campaign waged by the resort.

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Earlier in the day, union and resort officials ended the third of three back-to-back meetings. However, Bock characterized the last two meetings as “unproductive.”

Bock said there had been no response to the union’s offer made over a month ago which he says would save the resort $13.5 million in health insurance costs for the life of a five-year contract.

The next round of talks is scheduled for Sept. 22, Bock said.

“The discussion over the past two days has continued to focus on part-time and full-time employees,” Bock said. “So the last two days were very unproductive.”

Lynn Swann, director of public relations at The Greenbrier, said proposals were exchanged and discussed by both parties.

“The meeting was professional and discussions on the master agreement will continue on Sept. 22.”

Swann was unable to be reached by phone late Tuesday for comment concerning the union’s gaming request.

Commissioner Brad Tuckwiller queried Bostic as to whether the commission had the power to put gaming on the ballot.

“It’s my understanding the commission can vote on it or it takes five percent of the county’s registered voters to approve it,” Bostic said.

Some questions arose whether it was too late to even get the ballots printed. County Clerk B.J. Livesay said November’s ballots were currently at the printer for review.

Bostic said he was unsure of The Greenbrier’s stance on gaming and resort officials were unaware of the union’s request.

The commission agreed to hold an emergency meeting Thursday morning to vote on whether gaming can be on November’s ballot.

— E-mail: cgiggenbach@register-herald.com