Casino Worker Fired is Suing

In what can only be seen as either a case of blatant corporate American politics or sheer stupidity – the Tropicana Casino and Resort has fired one of their long time employees for speaking out against smoking in the casinos. Vince Rennich was tapped to speak at the state Senate meeting on behalf of the other employees to speak in favor of the smoking ban in the casinos.

Rennich told how it was a health hazard, and explained his own problems with the smoke. He has never smoked himself, but has worked at the Tropicana for the last 25 years as a table games supervisor. During that time he developed cancer and has already had part of his right lung removed. He testified that it was unsafe for the employees to have to work under those conditions.

Because of his testimony, the casino fired him, leaving him without both a paycheck and health insurance. However, Rennich should be covered under the “whistleblower law” that states that if you are reporting illegal conduct or dangerous situations in the workplace, that you cannot be fired as a result of it. Rennich has filed suit against the casino in response to the firing, which is in addition to another suit he has filed against them for not protecting him and the other employees from the dangers of second hand smoke.

The other casinos won’t touch Rennich because he testified, and the lawsuits against them make it that much worse. He is currently paying $1,300 a month in heath insurance for himself and his family, and co-workers and friends recently held a fundraiser for him to help him out.



Back to July Archive or Slot Machines