Casino Unionizes

The newest gaming commissioner says a move to unionize some positions at Casino Aztar is nothing revolutionary. Yesterday we told you workers at Casino Aztar voted to unionize. Last month dealers and some supervisors from here at casino Aztar voted to join the united auto workers. Its another change in a very newsworthy year for the casino. Another chapter starts in a ever changing story at Casino Aztar. Dealers and some supervisors voted 106 to 59 to join the united auto workers. "I dont see this as necessarily a good or bad thing," says Mark Fine. Fine is the newest gaming commissioner in Indiana. Only on the job for a month fine says across Indiana there are many dealers with union representation. "This is a natural business occurance happening in Evansville." But the relationship between the city and the casino has been anything but natural this year. In January, Columbia Sussex took over - laying off at least 20 employees. Right after - longtime president and general manager Jim Brown resigned. He was replaced by Maureen Keenan - who only spent 7 months on the job before taking a new job in Florida. Meanwhile Mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel is asking the gaming commission to investigate Columbia Sussex after hearing the possibility of more layoffs on the boat. This vote may be a response to all the changes. No one from the company is commenting. The union says employees want a say in their wages benefits and working conditions. Whatever this offers - you can be sure this wont be the last chapter for Casino Aztar and its employees The actual vote happened in October - but Columbia Sussex was appealing the election - thats why the results werent made public until this week. Fine says thats probably just protocol for the company.