May 6, 2008: Complaints of union collusion to hire nonunion convention labor spur revolt, the Las Vegas Sun reports.

Members of Teamsters Local 631 complain their union is colluding with major convention center contractors to wean them of union labor, a suspicion that has spurred efforts to replace local Teamster leadership with a slate of insurgent candidates.

Among the members’ complaints: that the union is reducing their work hours — and then helping contractors hire cheaper, nonunion laborers whose work can be billed at union-wage prices to convention exhibitors.

In essence, members say the union has set up a lucrative nonunion employment agency within the union hall, at the expense of members whose hours are being cut. They complain that as they wait for work, the union hall dispatcher gives the jobs to nonunion workers who have paid $60 to be on the union work list.

In exchange for getting sweetheart deals from the union, the convention contractors are performing favors for union leadership, including providing work for family members, according to some union members.

Click hereto read more at The Las Vegas Sun.