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When you list the important aspects of running a successful casino, the shoes worn by the waitresses probably won\u2019t come in among the top hundred issues you consider. But at one casino in Connecticut, that\u2019s exactly the issue that\u2019s causing plenty of tension \u2013 and not just in the waitresses\u2019 feet.<\/p>\n
The\u00a0Foxwoods Resort Casino\u00a0in southeastern Connecticut is currently negotiating the first-ever union contract for the casino\u2019s waitresses. But that contract is being held up by a few surprising issues, including one that\u2019s all about the shoes.<\/p>\n
The issue comes down to whether or not female servers should be required to wear high heels. Recently, Foxwoods imposed a requirement for all servers to wear at least two-inch heels \u2013 a ruling that didn\u2019t go over well with waitresses, particularly those who had been on the job for many years. Foxwoods isn\u2019t insisting on that exact clause being in a union contract, but they do want all servers wearing black shoes that would be subject to approval by casino management. There would be a medical exemption of up to one year, but beyond that period, servers would have to resign or move on to other positions.<\/p>\n
While this might sound like a ridiculous issue at first, it\u2019s actually quite the dilemma for both casinos and their workers.<\/p>\n
For the casinos, high-heeled waitresses can help create an imagethat appeals to their largely male clientele. That has led to plenty of battles with casinos in Las Vegas, Atlantic City and elsewhere, many of which have ended up in lawsuits. Meanwhile, many servers feel forced to wear high heels, whether that\u2019s because of pressure from management or because it helps them generate more tips from customers.<\/p>\n
But for many workers, the high heels ultimately cause health issues that force them to choose between changing their shoes and causing more permanent damage to their feet or legs. According to waitresses at Foxwoods, a requirement to have shoes approved by management could lead to many older servers being removed from their jobs if they can\u2019t continue to wear heels.<\/p>\n
\u201cMost of us girls have been here for 20 years, 15 years,\u201d cocktail waitress Cheryl Haase told the Associated Press. \u201cThis job has really done a number on our feet and they know it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Contract talks between the union and the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, which operates Foxwoods, have now stretched on for two years. Arbitration hearings are set for September, and the shoe requirements are expected to be one of the top issues discussed at those meetings.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
When you list the important aspects of running a successful casino, the shoes worn by the waitresses probably won\u2019t come in among the top hundred issues you consider. But at one casino in Connecticut, that\u2019s exactly the issue that\u2019s causing plenty of tension \u2013 and not just in the waitresses\u2019 feet. Union Negotiations Address Shoes […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":42,"featured_media":6470,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[13,18],"tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n