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Unions press lawmakers to extend Sunday and holiday overtime to casino workers
Summary
Union leaders and the sponsor sought to expand Sunday and holiday overtime protections to casino workers, arguing fairness and bargaining-history reasons; the committee voted to hold the bill for further consideration.
A bill to require overtime pay for Rhode Island casino workers on Sundays and holidays drew union testimony and the sponsor's presentation before the Senate Labor and Gaming Committee.
Senator Apollonio said the bill would amend the state's overtime law (R.I. Gen. Laws 25-3-1) to ensure casino workers receive time-and-a-half for Sundays and holidays like employees in many other industries; she said many casino employees have been excluded from pay protections. Kathy Reiner, president of UAW Local 7770, which represents most employees at Tiverton Casino and Hotel, said Sunday time-and-a-half has been a bargaining demand and that company negotiations in 2017 and 2022 did not secure the pay. “These people deserve to have time and a half on Sunday,” Reiner said.
Erica Hammond of the Rhode Island AFL-CIO testified in strong support and argued the evolution of corporate casino operations has produced inconsistent bargaining outcomes across properties; she urged passage to create fairness and equity across union and nonunion agreements. Security and drop-team union representatives also appeared in support.
After testimony the committee voted to hold the bill for further consideration; sponsors and unions indicated the issue will be pursued in subsequent bargaining and legislative steps.
