Culinary union urges Nevada Gaming Control Board to probe Durango Casino GM over alleged anti‑union tactics
January 15, 2026 | Nevada Gaming Control Board, Executive Agencies, Organizations, Executive, Nevada
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Ira Duanen, representing the Culinary Union, pressed the Nevada Gaming Control Board on Jan. 14 to examine the record of David Horne, general manager at Durango Casino & Resort, saying prior documents and messages suggest involvement in efforts to decertify unions.
"We believe a Nevada gaming license holder who is a vice president and general manager of [a] casino resort should be held accountable for any role he may be found to have played in unlawful activity," Duanen told the board during public comment. He said agents had told him Horne’s gaming registration dated to June 2006 and that a February 2024 Commission approval made him a key employee at Durango.
Duanen summarized excerpts he said came from a corporate HR project list and text messages from 2020 that — in his account — showed an “underground decertification strategy” by Station Casinos and messages in which a GM referenced completing a union decertification. He said the National Labor Relations Board might find unlawful coordination and asked the board to act "at the very least" with zero tolerance for conduct that undermines labor stability in the industry.
After Duanen, Adam Christian, a longtime Red Rock Casino employee and union leader, described being placed on an employer “mud list” for pro‑union activity and urged respect and a contract for workers.
The board did not take immediate enforcement action during public comment; Chair Dreiser reminded the public that the open‑meeting law prevents action on matters raised during public comment but said the board would hear the concern and noted investigative procedures are separate.
Next steps: Duanen said he would provide a copy of the corporate HR document to the board secretary. Any formal investigatory follow‑up would be handled by the board’s enforcement agents or other appropriate authorities.
"We believe a Nevada gaming license holder who is a vice president and general manager of [a] casino resort should be held accountable for any role he may be found to have played in unlawful activity," Duanen told the board during public comment. He said agents had told him Horne’s gaming registration dated to June 2006 and that a February 2024 Commission approval made him a key employee at Durango.
Duanen summarized excerpts he said came from a corporate HR project list and text messages from 2020 that — in his account — showed an “underground decertification strategy” by Station Casinos and messages in which a GM referenced completing a union decertification. He said the National Labor Relations Board might find unlawful coordination and asked the board to act "at the very least" with zero tolerance for conduct that undermines labor stability in the industry.
After Duanen, Adam Christian, a longtime Red Rock Casino employee and union leader, described being placed on an employer “mud list” for pro‑union activity and urged respect and a contract for workers.
The board did not take immediate enforcement action during public comment; Chair Dreiser reminded the public that the open‑meeting law prevents action on matters raised during public comment but said the board would hear the concern and noted investigative procedures are separate.
Next steps: Duanen said he would provide a copy of the corporate HR document to the board secretary. Any formal investigatory follow‑up would be handled by the board’s enforcement agents or other appropriate authorities.
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