Vic: Crown Casino workers to push for smoking ban

AAP General News (Australia)
12-13-2001
Vic: Crown Casino workers to push for smoking ban

Staff at Melbourne's Crown Casino will today urge the Victorian government to implement
a smoking ban in all gaming areas by next July -- or face possible industrial action.

Workers may consider an industrial campaign if representatives of Health Minister JOHN
THWAITES can't guarantee a ban on smoking in gaming venues.

Delegates from the Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Workers Union will meet with
Mr THWAITES' representatives today, calling for a timetable for extended smoking bans.

The delegates will then report back to the union's Crown Casino members this afternoon,
where plans to begin industrial action may then be hatched if the government can't guarantee
a ban.

LHMU state secretary BRIAN DALEY says members - who make up one third of workers at
Crown, city and suburban hotels and gaming venues - are frustrated by the government's
attitude towards banning smoking in their workplace.

Mr DALEY says in no other area have governments been as lax about workplace health and safety.

Australian Hotels Association national head RICHARD MULCAHY says many hotels have already
designated special non-smoking gaming areas and improved ventilation.

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KEYWORD: SMOKING VIC (MELBOURNE)

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