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PARIS (AFP) – The renewed strike in casinos starting Friday at the call of the 5 unions, could “severely disrupt or cripple” at least forty institutions, including the largest, a total of 188, FO said Wednesday. “Based on the results of general meetings, forty casinos, the most important, are likely to be severely disrupted or paralyzed by the strike,” he told AFP David Rousset, head of FP for branch, adding that all the results were not yet reached him. Casino d’Enghien-les-Bains (Val d’Oise), Ruhl Nice (Alpes-Maritimes) and Forges-les-Eaux (Seine-Maritime) could well be almost paralyzed by it, as well as institutions smaller, such as Berck-sur-Mer (Pas-de-Calais). Since the strike began on Friday morning, the pickets will be installed at the entrance of casinos, including “distributing leaflets to customers explaining the working conditions of employees, the far side of the casinos, and their asking whether to boycott the site, or to show solidarity with the strikers, “said Mr. Rousset. He said the casino boss in Aix-les-Bains, which does not belong to the two employers’ associations, has “agreed to negotiate with employees before the threat of paralysis of his establishment.” “He granted wage increases of 3%, and days off in lieu of night work: 8 days to the croupiers, 4 days for those slots and 3 days for others. Like what our claims do are not unrealistic, “said Mr. Rousset. Employees in Aix-les-Bains “will still strike out of solidarity, but to a lesser extent,” he said. The five-sector unions (CGT, CFDT, CFTC, FOR and CFE-CGC) are demanding higher wages, compensation for night work and a pension scheme at the branch. The night of Saint Sylvester is one of the days of the year when the casino operator usually make their biggest sales.

PARIS (AFP) – The employers casino-games “will not make other proposals” pay before the strike of December 31 that he feared “some disruptions,” he said Thursday, a spokesman for the trade association Casinos de France. “There is no other than proposals made last week (Dec. 22) by Joel Mingasson our president and there are no negotiations in sight,” said Casinos de France. The spokesman added “expect some disruption” on Friday but said that “casinos are open and guests welcomed in the best conditions.” The second employers’ association, the Syndicat des Casinos modern France, said “not wish to comment” on the eve of the strike announced. At the joint meeting of negotiations on 22 December, Mr Mingasson had proposed “a revaluation of the pay scale on January 1 of every 3% and 4% for the lowest wages.” Unions casino-games – CGT, CFDT, FOR, CFTC and CFE-CGC – which have called the 17,000 sector employees to strike on December 31, rejected these proposals and requested 4% increase for all, 6 days of compensatory time off in respect of night work and a pension scheme at the branch. According to FP, renewed strike starting Friday could “severely disrupt or paralyze” at least forty institutions, including the largest, a total of 188.

Employers and unions casino-games in France gathered Thursday for an early evening negotiating session aimed at last-minute attempt to avert a renewed strike from New Year’s Eve.

“I hope to get this [Thursday] night an agreement and the lifting of the strike notice,” he told AFP Vice President Casinos de France (one of two employers’ associations) Michel Roger Thursday, shortly before the start of the negotiation meeting with the unions, called at the last moment. A source close to the case, employers would make new proposals, particularly with regard to wage increases and the introduction of a pension scheme claimed by the unions.

Unions casino-games – CGT, CFDT, FOR, CFTC and CFE-CGC – which have called for the first time together in a national strike from December 31, demanding a 4% increase for all six days compensatory time off in respect of night work and a pension scheme at the branch to cover the high risks (accidents, death, etc.).

The negotiations, involving 17,000 employees, were officially broken since December 22, but discrete bilateral talks have continued since. Unions have expressed since the beginning of the week of a growing mobilization among employees, given the number of participants in meetings.

TIPS FOR LESS

A quarantine facilities on a total of 188 were at risk, according to FOR, to be “virtually paralyzed or severely disrupted” if the strike call was held, at a time when the industry traditionally carries a large share of its sales business.

The casino of Aix-les-Bains (Savoie), that does not belong to the two employers’ associations, management had agreed on Wednesday to negotiate with the workers “against the threat of paralysis of his establishment,” said David Rousset responsible for the national FP branch.

“It granted wage increases of 3% and days off in lieu of night work: 8 days to the croupiers, 4 days for those slots and 3 days for others. Like what our claims are not unrealistic, “said Mr. Rousset.

The Director General of casino group Partouche , Patrick Partouche – who has, with Accor Barrier, two thirds of the market – had told AFP on Thursday, hours before the resumption of negotiations, he was “ready to discuss, but with assurances of the Inter agreement stating that if there will be no social movement in any casino. “I am opposed to any form of renegotiation as such insurance is not met”, added Mr Partouche .

The unions had launched their appeal on November 26 to denounce the “low wages” of the profession, hit by a drop in tips, from 9.89% this year after a decline of 18.83% the previous season.

The 2003-2004 season for the casinos saw a new record, with gross gaming revenue of 2.613 billion euros, up 2.60%, however, representing the slowest growth in the last fifteen years, according to casinotier groups.

PARIS (AP) – Fifty of the 188 casinos that include France, which might be affected by a call to the strike launched overnight on New Year’s Eve, will ultimately not affected sector unions to the origin of the movement has finally reached an agreement with employers’ organizations. In a statement released in the evening, following a meeting between different parties, “Casinos de France” and the “Syndicat des casinos modern” state that the slogan of the strike was lifted, and that they concluded an agreement with the employees unions CGT, FOR, CFDT and CFE-CGC on two topics that were the subject of negotiations, wages and welfare plans. Moreover, a firm commitment to negotiations on the night work has been made for the first quarter of 2005. Concerning wages, compensation schedules and annual gross minimum monthly guarantee will be increased from 1 January 2005 to 4% on level l and 3% on the other, explain employers’ organizations. Regarding the supplementary pension, pension safeguards that already exist in many enterprises will be implemented within the entire industry. The parties also agreed on the distribution of contributions employers and employees, they say. On night work, the parties agreed that it was structurally related to the casino business and that some sections of the national collective agreement take into account this specificity. Undertake negotiations in the first quarter 2005 so by law enforcement, search for counterparties taking into account the existence of night work and the resulting hardship and economic constraints casinos, also highlight employer organizations. This agreement is subject to the effective lifting of the slogan to strike and thus the absence of any disruption in the operation of casinos from December 31, the statement said. Eve of New Year’s Day is one of the nights of the year the casinos make their biggest sales. Face to face had turned showdown last December 22 when the “last-chance negotiations” between unions and management had been unsuccessful. The unions, who say that 90% of casino employees are paid at the SMIC (minimum wage growth), demanded an adjustment of 4%, six days of compensatory time off per year for night work, and the establishment a pension scheme for the whole industry. Unions explain that the massive arrival of slot machines in the last ten years has led to a disaffection of customers for traditional games, and then a steady decline of tips that represent a significant portion of the croupiers. “In 2003 alone, the decline in traditional games has been 18%,” said the spokesman of the CGT, Joel Lefebvre.

Four unions give up the call to strike on Christmas Eve.

“They played the deterioration of the situation to make us a sign to twelve hours of picketing, a union fever. And it worked. Late yesterday afternoon, employers and unions casinos gathered for a final negotiating meeting, just hours before the strike began the New Year’s Eve, when the five-sector unions had called. “I hope to get a deal in the evening and the lifting of the strike notice,” announced Roger Michel, Vice President of Casino of France, one of the two chambers sector employers. It’s done: four unions casino-games (CGT, CFDT, FOR and CFE-CGC) signed an agreement after more than an hour of trading, and have decided against calling for a strike tonight. The fifth union, the CFTC announced on his side he would consult its members for “raised whether or not the strike call,” said his manager, Charles Albert.

According to the CFE-CGC unions had been “3 and 4% salary increase (according to the categories of staff), one of their main demands, while the employers had” removed “these proposals at the last negotiation, December 22, lack of global agreement. The signatory unions have also obtained “a commitment to the welfare system” on the part of employers, to cover the high risks (accidents, death, etc..). Regarding the third claim, compensation for night work, employers have, according to Pierre-Alain Durat (CFE-CGC), “promised further negotiations in the first quarter of 2005.

According to a casino patron, “it is the unions who wanted to resume negotiations: their movement was going to the dogs …” For his part, a union member who wishes to remain anonymous, employers suspected of having voluntarily left the threat swell to strike, to demonstrate the difficulties of the sector and raise pressure on the state. “They particularly wanted the end of stamp duty, the fee the customer pays to the State to access the games, which are exempt from the slot machines.” Casino patrons are indeed unanimous resume nervousness Patrick Partouche , “There’s a notable absentee in this case: the State.”

Four of the five unions that called a national strike in the casinos tonight renounce the movement, following an agreement reached yesterday just before 22h. The croupiers casino Niederbronn on strike last week, will decide today if they pursue their own.

The thirty strike casino croupiers Niederbronn-les-Bains (Group Lucien Barrière SAS, ex-Accor Casinos) had re-started the movement last December 24. Then they anticipated, based on local demands (our previous editions), the national movement for which they also planned to strike tonight.

Negotiations yesterday, which appear to have produced a national agreement with at least four of the five unions (CGT, CFDT, FOR and CFE-GGC) might not be sufficient to break the deadlock Bas-Rhin: “We have claims on the local minimum point, we said Patricia Delanoue, secretary general of the CFDT-FTILAC, speaking alongside Niederbronn dealers. We must examine what has been achieved in Paris. But until management does not meet the minimum wage, it is mobilized. ”

A decision will be taken today in the day.

The strikers, present every night before the casino, solicit passersby for donations to offset the strike days. Yesterday afternoon, before rebounding nationally they were preparing the device for Christmas Eve at the doors of the casino, and even imagined to go picket the establishment of Ribeauvillé (same group), where no strike was expected.

For the casino Niederbronn opens in reduced hours, one or two tables instead of seven, the shortfall related to the strike is considered “insignificant”. Management notes that the gaming is “nonprofit” as opposed to the 185 slot machines.

Serious Surveillance

The movement is particularly monitored by general information. A police officer of “RG” is indeed assigned to each casino, whose staff and members of management have been duly empowered after investigation. In times of strike, it belongs to an official to ensure that specific legislation is respected gaming industry, including at least one traditional meal works. Otherwise, the slot machines would not be accessible, except as precedents. Ministerial approval to operate slot machines in any case can not be given after the probationary period, if traditional games are based.

Casino management Niederbronn indicated yesterday that a strike, the gaming would not open tonight at 21 pm and the other activities the resort-slot machines, restaurant and hotel are not disturbed .

PORRENTRUY – Police arrested ten people suspected of involvement in the robbery of the Casino 138 at the end of November to Courrendlin in the Jura. The chief dealer injured in the robbery is still in hospital.

Two of the ten people arrested had been arrested the day of the year, “said Genevieve Bugnon, the cantonal judge. Actively sought, they seem to have played a role in the robbery.

Most of those arrested live in the canton of Jura and the Bernese Jura, others in the canton of Aargau, said the judge. The majority are from former Yugoslavia and some are Swiss. The alleged perpetrators are aged 20-25 years, “added Ms. Bugnon.

In addition, police also seized several weapons which could have served as one to injure an employee of the casino. The ballistic analysis is underway. Of the 170,000 francs stolen, 17,000 francs have been found.

The investigation continues as police still could not hear the testimony of the chief dealer wounded. He was assaulted by four men as he left the casino around 5:00 Thursday, November 28. The robbers beat and shot him with a firearm.

They then dragged him into the casino and forced open the safe before handcuffing him to a pipe to prevent the alarm. This is a worker who discovered the poor and gave the alarm.

CASINO ENGHIEN may have to wait a little extra its slot machines. While the director is hoping for a positive response before the end of the month, it is not made by the Minister of Interior before March at the earliest. Demand of 220 additional machines placed in sub-prefecture has indeed not yet been sent to the Section of the Ministry of Interior. Unable then to hope that the matter be considered at the next higher committee of the games, scheduled in ten days. We must therefore await the next … set in March! The interior minister usually makes its final decision within ten days to ten weeks after the one issued by the commission. According to our information, if one considers only the performance of slot machines d’Enghien, which is between two and three times the national average, the decision should be positive and focus on the green light for 70 to 120 armed bandits additional. Consider what is put into service this summer.

LONDON, Jan. 18 (AFP) – Deprived of the opportunity to kill time with a good pint of beer for the clubs impose a strict diet, players of English football took refuge in Paris and card games, where some may lose a fortune. On Friday, a British newspaper claimed that striker Michael Owen has lost a large sum in poker games during the World Cup final. Around the table, which took place mostly Robbie Fowler (Leeds), David James (West Ham), Wayne Bridge (Southampton), Owen would have been “plucked” by the Newcastle player Kieron Dyer, the big winner on the entire competition. The Icelandic striker Eidur Gudjohnsen from Chelsea has revealed that he had lost 400,000 pounds (625,000 euros) in five months playing at the casino, while his monthly salary is 80,000 pounds (125,000 euros). Gudjohnsen was attending a London casino, to “pass the time.” “I started when I was hurt and I was bored. I ended up going into debt,” said the Icelanders, saying he could bring up to 2. 000 pounds (3125 euros) on a single shot at the wheel. Dependence “Players who have a predisposition to addiction can not drink or abuse drugs, because of the severity of the tests. Some become so addicted to the game,” said the former Arsenal defender Tony Adams, his former alcoholic himself. “Footballers do not just play at the casino or shopping, they also spend time to gamble on the Internet,” says Adams, now the head of Sporting Chance, a structure of volunteers that helps athletes face problems dependence. “It is difficult to detect because there is no sign. But the danger is so important,” says Adams. The English Football Association, worried, could open an investigation if “there is evidence” of Paris as important during the last World Cup. But, obviously, the practice is common in the English team. During the European Championship 2000, some English players, then under the leadership of Kevin Keegan, played up to 15,000 pounds (23,400 euros) for poker games. Endemic disease Ruud van Nistelrooy, Dutch striker of Manchester United, confirmed: “Footballers (UM) spend a lot of time traveling, so they play cards. I probably should not say, but there ‘s money at stake. ” “The sums involved are small,” he quickly countered a spokesman for the club. “There is nothing illegal about playing cards”, said a spokesman for the FA to “Players have always shown exemplary behavior on and off the pitch.” “It is an endemic problem in English football,” Friday the Daily Express thought, recalling that during the 1966 World Cup won by England coach Alf Ramsey had banned beer but had to close their eyes on Paris even if he abhorred. For van Nistelrooy, the explanation for the fever of the game is fairly obvious: the footballers have simply lost the extent of money. “When you sign Manchester, wages are astronomical.” And, adds another player: “Few footballers read, so if you do not play, life can become boring.”

CASINO ENGHIEN, strike benefits primarily to the players! Through the movement launched Saturday by the CGT and FOR, customers have free access to slot machines. That is the direction of the institution that made the decision to offset the inconvenience associated with the movement led by about thirty employees. The strikers, who refuse to resume work before obtaining an interview with management spent the weekend outside the main entrance, banners and placards in hand, offering customers to sign petitions.

The threat of “a very important social conflict” The two unions, who have decided to challenge them by e-minister, Nicolas Sarkozy, calling for “an immediate increase in salaries by 5% and profit sharing.” The CGT and FOR, brandishing the threat of “a very important social conflict”, highlight the financial performance of a casino that has risen this year at the forefront of French gaming establishments in 2002. “The director does not hesitate to brag about it, emphasize the strikers. Employees are not stupid and they see the fruit of their efforts makes no recognition. And it is obvious that the planned arrival this year of 220 additional slot machines will only aggravate the situation. “Conditions of work, organization,” respect and dignity in the company “claims are not only financial. “The schedules are not appropriate, says one security officer who asks for a real recognition of night work. We have no fixed schedules, which is very disturbing in the long run. “Disturbing, too, for this employee of the shop, the blurring of the division of labor. “Initially, I was hired to build a loyalty club for high rollers and big winners. Today I find myself and I’m operator secretarial work. This is not really the same thing. In the absence of rendezvous with management, the strikers planned to continue their movement today.

Casino of Enghien-les-Bains, YESTERDAY AFTERNOON. Installed outside the main entrance from 6 am Saturday, the strikers were warned they would not move before obtaining an interview with management.