I worked for station casinos in 2006. The 'probation' time was 90 days. On the 89th day of my employment, I was phoned by my supervisor and he asked me to come into the Station casino (Red Rock) I was based. I worked at several of their properties and was treated fairly at some and treated very poorly at others.

I was an 'entertainment technician, ' doing setups for outdoor concerts. I worked my tail off getting ready for Red Rock's grand opening in April of '06. With the exception of my supervisor, I was virtually ignored by other 'Team Members, ' finding them unfriendly and totally lacking in humor and helpfulness.

I was laid of on the 89th day. On the 90th day, I would have been permanently hired. The reasons for my layoff were extremely vague. the supervisor said that I did a great job, but was lacking in one area of wireless monitor systems. At no time during my employment, was I offered anything but a manual for the mixer (Yamaha DM 2000), where a brief tutorial, without interruptions would have done the trick. However, a 'cutthroat attitude' existed and, literally, some of the other techs hardly ever talked to me and I was treated as an outcast from day 1.

I was harassed at other Station Casino properties, where they would send me to fill in. I was given no chance to demonstrate my skills and, despite what I was told during orientation, there was nobody who would help me. The entertainment directors (higher ups) treated me as an inferior person. I have never had problems in the workplace, yet trouble found me at each turn, with the exception of Texas Station, where I was treated with respect.

During orientation, we were advised to stair clear of union organizers. As I was laid off, I understood why. They want no protection for their employees. I used to frequent the Santa Fe (before Stations took it over). It was a friendly atmosphere and I spent time at the bar on several occassions, talking with the owner, Mr. Lowden, who is a first-class person.

When Stations took over the Santa Fe, they changed the payout, glitzed the place up and, essentially ruined a great local atmosphere. They will take every last cent from a gambler, something that Mr. Lowden would never allow to happen. I believe (I have no proof), that their player's club cards actually trigger CD Roms, making it impossible to ever win at an electronic machine. In the Lowden days, they offered $2 blackjack...no more...$5 minimum.

The staff is uncaring (with the exception of a few 'oldtimers' who stayed on after the switch). It's not difficult to see how the greed of the Stations' owners ended the company in bankruptcy. They have legally stolen from the locals. Finally, the sign at the Fiesta ('Royal Flush Capital of the World') was taken down, because it simply was not true.

A decade ago, local vegas casinos made sure that the locals were not fleeced and a regular was treated with kindness and respect. ever since the beancounters took over, all semblance of fairness is gone. All they want is your money and they treat their employees like crap. this has happened all over Vegas and makes one wish for the atmosphere of the '90s. It's not surprising that business is way down, and the further it sinkis, the more the casinos program their machines to pay out less. This is a fact.