Union valets may strike against casino

Union parking valets at the Twin River Casino in Rhode Island say they’ll go on strike if they can’t reach an agreement with casino management. The strike would start tomorrow at 3pm. Matthew Maini, the Business Agent at the Teamsters Local 251 union, said that the casino wants to be able to lay off the valets and replace them with workers from a private subcontractor. “We will not sign any contract with subcontracting in it, and we want affordable health care because the union believes healthcare is a right, not a privilege,” Maini said. “We feel that working families of Rhode Island should have affordable healthcare, and they should be able to come to work and make a living wage.” The Twin River Casino is worried about competition from Wynn Boston Harbor, an upcoming casino project in Everett, MA, according to Maini. He said that other union employees at the casino are on board with the strike and will honor the picket line.