|
UK
Casino Times
> Casino
News
30 March 2006
Casino Workers Gamble With Health
Casino
workers in Scotland are risking their health due to long
hours and poor working conditions, it is claimed.
The damning report comes
as Glasgow bids for a licence to operate a Las Vegas-style
super
casino.
It reveals how croupiers
at the city's five casinos suffer back and neck problems,
while a fifth suffer numbness and tingling in their hands
because of pressure on nerves.
Most workers also
complained of chronic fatigue and sleep disturbance, while
the GMB union's study revealed a shock rise in violence
since 2003, with assaults trebling.
Incidents nationally
involving racial harassment have also doubled over the last
three years, and two out of five female staff surveyed had
been sexually harassed.
Staff also claim managers
allow big-spending players to abuse and threaten
them.
Richard Leonard, of the
GMB, said: "Casinos are seen as glamorous, but the view from
the inside is radically different. It's time operators
working with Government and the trade unions and cleaned up
their act. If they do not they will see not only poorly
motivated workers but hefty damages claims too."
The GMB wants casino
operators to introduce a zero tolerance policy for all
customers who are abusive or threatening to staff. It also
wants 12-hour shifts scrapped, and regular and longer rest
breaks.
The union is also worried
about the range of medical complaints from staff - whose
average age is 34 - and wants managers to introduce routine
health checks.
Up to 1000 workers are
employed in Scotland's 12 casinos with 500 people working in
Glasgow.
Mr Leonard said: "The
biggest response by far to our study came from Glasgow,
which is another reason why we hope this sector gets its
house in order before the Government decides where Britain's
first super-sized casino is to be based."
Gala, which operates four
casinos in Glasgow, said it didn't want to comment on the
GMB study.
Related pages:
None
Also see:
UK
Online Casinos
Reviews of the leading, approved UK online casinos. Includes
details of the free money welcome bonuses offered to new
players by the online casinos.
Online
Casinos Guide
New to online casinos? We take you through the process in a
friendly, easy-going way.
CasinoTimes.co.uk
is updated every day with the latest online casino and
gambling news.
Click
Here
to bookmark us and check us out daily!
Return
to UK Casino News index
|
