Your contract — also called a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) — is a legally binding document that details the majority of your rights and responsibilities during your employment.

This document was negotiated by two parties: a committee of your co-workers and representatives from company management and ownership. It was then put to a vote of those in our union — a process called ratification.

You are also given an employee handbook when you begin working for the employer. This document contains policies that supplement the contract — but if there is ever a conflict between the two, the Collective Bargaining Agreement rules.

If a casino or hotel policy contradicts wording in the contract, contract language wins. When neither the contract nor the handbook addresses a particular issue, “past practice” dictates how the situation should be handled.

• 1
  Check the Facts in Your Contract

  Many of the answers you seek are detailed in this document. Your contract covers:

  • Holiday pay & vacation time
  • Healthcare & retirement plan
  • Discipline procedures
  • Grievance procedure — a system for fighting disciplinary action
  • Scheduling & seniority rights
• 2
  Talk to a Steward or Your Worker Advocate

  Reach out to your union steward or worker advocate at the union hall. If your CBA includes a Step One process, file a Step One as soon as possible.

• 3
  File a Grievance

  See the grievance procedure section in your contract for the specific steps. Grievances are time sensitive — check how many days you have to file.

  Grievances must be filed in person at the union office.