Bargaining chip?

September 15, 2008 06:00 pm

— While talks between union negotiators and representatives of The Greenbrier continue, a quick maneuver was made last week to get a referendum put on the November ballot which would allow table game gambling at America’s resort.
This matter came up eight years ago and at the time The Greenbrier was proactive and spent tens of thousands of dollars trying to get a similar proposal passed, only to see it soundly defeated.
Since that time we’ve heard very little about it, until last Tuesday night when the union representing some 1,100 employees at The Greenbrier approached the Greenbrier County Commission with the plan.
Just two days later the three members of the county commission voted unanimously to put the gambling issue back before the voters.
Taking the position that it will help to ensure employee jobs and benefits by generating millions in additional revenue, we are wondering if the union might consider this to be a last resort to move things along at the bargaining table.
To our knowledge, The Greenbrier hasn’t requested, suggested or expressed any support for the referendum and we’ve yet to learn if they are still actually even interested in offering table gaming for registered guests. There has been no official comment or response from officials at the resort.
Blackjack and roulette aside, The Greenbrier is a vital part of the regional economy and it worries everyone that a deal between the resort and its union employees hasn’t yet been reached.
Contract negotiations are set to resume again in a few days; it is our hope that the two sides can reach an agreement soon for the benefit of both groups and the betterment and future of Greenbrier County and West Virginia.