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LAS VEGAS (AP) — A union that represents thousands of Las Vegas casino employees is wrestling with the Ultimate Fighting Championship over a proposed water fountain, arguing such a feature is irresponsible in the wake of a drought.
Members of the Culinary Union want the Clark County Zoning Commission to reconsider approving the fountain. The commission voted 5-2 last week in favor of the sprawling fountain, which would be placed at the UFC headquarters.
The UFC's planned 1,070-square-foot pond with fountains would shoot water up 8 inches.
The union represents 55,000 casino workers. Its leaders say their members believe a fountain would be wasteful considering the region has an ongoing drought.
"Water is a public issue for our members and for the entire community," Culinary Union secretary-treasurer Geoconda Arguello-Kline said. "We believe the county commissioners really have to go back and say 'No' to the UFC's wasteful water fixture."
The union also said fountains are not typically allowed in the Las Vegas area.
UFC officials, however, contend the fountain would also be part of the building's air cooling system. The company's engineers say the fountain will help reduce energy consumption by as much as 10 percent. According to the Southern Nevada Water Authority, outdoor water features are permitted if they play a role in a cooling system.
The union has an antagonistic history with Station Casinos, whose owners also lead the UFC's parent company, according to the Las Vegas Sun (http://bit.ly/1IBqT4M ). Brothers Frank and Lorenzo Fertitta control Zuffa LLC, which owns UFC. The union has attempted previously to organize employees at Station Casinos.
Arguello-Kline said the Clark County commissioners' decision is a sign of "special treatment" for Station Casinos, which is also a major donor in Nevada politics. Commissioners have denied accusations of playing favorites.
Station Casinos spokeswoman Lori Nelson accused the union of "bully tactics."
"It's astonishing how the Culinary Union continues to unnecessarily harass and bully hundreds of innocent companies and organizations indirectly tied to Station Casinos out of their continued frustration that they have not been able to persuade the majority of our team members to join their union," Nelson said.
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Information from: Las Vegas Sun, http://www.lasvegassun.com
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