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Casino Stands Firm On Firing Waitresses Who Gain Weight
The Associated Press ^ | March 3, 2005 | The Associated Press

Posted on 03/03/2005 3:35:59 PM PST by Former Military Chick

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. -- The battle over bulge continues at an Atlantic City casino.

The "Borgata Babes" aren't getting a break on their weight. The Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa in Atlantic City, N.J., won't budge on its new weight requirements.

The Borgata has rejected a union grievance challenging the casino's imposition of weight limits on cocktail servers -- known as "Borgata Babes" -- and costumed bartenders. It said they are performers whose personal appearance and grooming are a key part of Borgata's image.

The babes have to squeeze into skimpy costumes.

Last month casino officials announced that the Borgata Babes and bartenders would have to weigh-in. Anyone who gained more than 7 percent of their body weight would be subject to suspension or firing.

But Local 54 of the Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees union, which represents the cocktail servers and the bartenders, quickly contested the policy. They said it violates the casino's contract with the union by imposing a unilateral change in working conditions.

Officials of the waitress and bartenders union said they'll now take the weighty issue to arbitration.


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: employmentatwill; freedomofassociation; nightclubs; weight; workplace
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To: Beelzebubba

It has nothing to do with refried Marxist ideology, but with human decency. Entertainers are cast, workers are hired. Within reason, they don't have to look the part. We're talking about waitresses, human beings... and one cannot talk about human beings without the concept of dignity. Again, it is a question of Bill of Rights, or the Rights of Bill.

Having to make a choice, first comes the whole person and not the half-demented whim of an employer who can't see life deeper than a flash in the pan from an MTV videoclip.

This is the kind of stuff that destroys society. This is exactly the reverse projection of taking down the Ten Commandments from a courtroom. Love and chide (if you must) your buxomy employee, even with 5 kilos more she'll serve those tables fine. You don't take away such an important and life giving thing as her job for a little ciccia.

I don't know what the law is. I see it as a moral question... yes, a moral question even inside a gambling den. Where men and women are men and women and not just appearance.

Of course, you take away the concept of "soul"... then you can argue freedom and rights and profit all you want. By that same token we might just say that Blacks and Orientals need not apply... maybe they're not pretty enough by someone's definition.

Along with tolerance we need to cultivate the fine art of acceptance. The first is in the mind, the second is in the heart... and it teaches you a great many things about beauty in people that the very ugly and ghoulish SOB casino operator obviously needs to learn.


41 posted on 03/03/2005 5:38:18 PM PST by Hudobna
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To: Smartaleck
First thank you so much for the kind words as it regards my military threads. It is important for me to make sure that folks not in the military have the chance to read the articles provided in the military early bird.

As for this thread, it is unhealthy. I have heard stats from a hospital in Louisiana that a lot of medical care for those in their later years is do to their being over weight. They are trying to find ways to help this but it is a tough road and I suppose in the end not only do these folks suffer but tax payers as well.

42 posted on 03/03/2005 5:47:58 PM PST by Former Military Chick
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To: cyborg; SheLion
Hmmm company can tell girls to look like toothpicks but the threads about not having guns or smoking goes into the hundreds as to why they're wrong.

No kidding. Do we see a double standard here, maybe?

43 posted on 03/03/2005 5:56:59 PM PST by LisaMalia
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To: Petronski

I don't care what anyone says. Queen ROCKED, and "Fat Bottomed Girls" is a great song.


44 posted on 03/03/2005 6:00:13 PM PST by Xenalyte (Your mother sells hot dogs.)
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To: LisaMalia

Maybe ;-)


45 posted on 03/03/2005 6:03:07 PM PST by cyborg (http://mentalmumblings.blogspot.com/)
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To: Hudobna

Gimme a break.

I'm with the casino on this one. They can have whatever rules they want and if people don't like it, there's a zillion other casinos in Atlantic City to work or play in. Personally, I have been to the Borgata a couple of times and I really enjoy the place.

I like Hooters, too, and they can have whatever rules they want.

Regards,
LH


46 posted on 03/03/2005 6:04:05 PM PST by Lancey Howard
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To: Xenalyte

I'm not kidding. I like that song, and I consider it's central theme to be true.


47 posted on 03/03/2005 6:06:28 PM PST by Petronski (I'm not always cranky. Sometimes I'm downright grouchy. Grrr.)
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To: Dinsdale

Yeah. Remember when the airlines had standards for stewardesses? You know, the Good Old Days.


48 posted on 03/03/2005 6:14:30 PM PST by Chuckster ("Silence is not golden. It is yellow" Senator Zell Miller)
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To: LisaMalia

I'll put it to you in another way: If a casino priding itself on having attractive waitresses is forced to hire/keep those who do not make the cut, where does it end? Should you be forced to keep your attorney if he refuses to continue his education and is thus uninformed on current law?


49 posted on 03/03/2005 6:19:22 PM PST by radicalamericannationalist (The Senate is our new goal: 60 in '06.)
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To: Former Military Chick

Here's a couple of the "Borgata Babes"

50 posted on 03/03/2005 6:22:47 PM PST by Chuckster ("Silence is not golden. It is yellow" Senator Zell Miller)
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To: Former Military Chick
As for this thread, it is unhealthy. I have heard stats from a hospital in Louisiana that a lot of medical care for those in their later years is do to their being over weight. They are trying to find ways to help this but it is a tough road and I suppose in the end not only do these folks suffer but tax payers as well.

FMC, I respect you, and what you have to say. I thank you for your service to our country.

However, like I said before, where do we draw the line?

The caffeine addict, who stands in my office, talking incessantly about nothing, keeping me from my work? Should they be fired? Wonder what his/her BP is?

The person who has worked at the same job for 30 plus years, and is so disgruntled that they make your day miserable listening to their gripes about the company?

And how about "the gossip", who sticks their head in to your office every once in awhile to spread the latest rumor?

I've never known an obese person who let their weight get in the way of the job they do. In fact, I would take an obese, rational co-worker over all of the ones listed above, anytime.

None of us are perfect, and I think that's what's wrong with society today. Too many judgments, not enough empathy for co-workers.

I am thankful that I work in an environment that looks at all of us imperfect folks with understanding and kindness.

51 posted on 03/03/2005 6:23:05 PM PST by LisaMalia
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To: Lancey Howard

Ciao Lancey Howard,

Why should I give you a break? First get on a bathroom scale and tell me how much you weigh!

Or never mind that, why shouldn't the Borgata give its serving girls a break?

The men can get all the legs, breasts, and butts they want with the floor show. Nobody's banning beauty where beauty is required.

"Sorry Jane, you didn't weigh in! You are no longer suited to serve margheritas!"

Give me a break! (I'm one meter 56, 52 kgs.)

If this Borgata place that you like gets away with it, well just think of the possibilities!

Isn't it great? They fired the girl in the hardware store because she got a pimple. Mary at the corner ice cream parlor is looking a little sallow and she has a swollen foot! Off with her head!

Next!

That's no way to have a society. It's not about liking hooters or scooters, but caring about human beings. Acceptance. The supposed freedom you're defending will boil down to millions of tyrannies.


52 posted on 03/03/2005 6:26:11 PM PST by Hudobna
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To: radicalamericannationalist
If a casino priding itself on having attractive waitresses is forced to hire/keep those who do not make the cut, where does it end? Should you be forced to keep your attorney if he refuses to continue his education and is thus uninformed on current law?

Not a valid arguement. Noone said these men and women are incapable of doing their jobs.

Now that you mention it, maybe we should put a weight requirement on attorneys!

53 posted on 03/03/2005 6:29:03 PM PST by LisaMalia
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To: LisaMalia
Thank you for the kind words and I respect and enjoy your comments as well.

I frankly do have misgivings on the subject but I do sway into the companies way of thinking.

But I do worry about the slippery slope issue. When I go to eat dinner I generally do not pay attention to the weight of the server. Then again I do not pay attention to many details like that.

It is not that I feel they are unable to do a good job. If I had my way folks would be interviewed over the phone. So as not to prejudice the interviewer of their weight, ethnicity issues that sometimes puts an applicant at a disadvantage.

If a company wants to put in their regulations that they must weigh a certain amount is it not their right to do so?

Would you want to see over weight Dallas Cheerleaders? I wouldn't. But they are told when they take the job what they must do to remain on the squad. How about flight attendants? They have to weigh a certain amount as it affects the entire weight of the carrier. Not that I buy into the airlines way of thinking. I think for them the issue was similar to the Hooter girls, it is more pleasant to look at what most feel is the accepted weight.

It is a tough subject and I am glad we can discuss it here on Free Republic.

54 posted on 03/03/2005 6:34:51 PM PST by Former Military Chick
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To: LisaMalia
"Noone said these men and women are incapable of doing their jobs."

Part of their job is to be physically attractive so as to entice the folks to feed money into the one armed bandits.

"Now that you mention it, maybe we should put a weight requirement on attorneys!"

As a recent admittee to the Bar, I won't oppose that.
55 posted on 03/03/2005 7:00:54 PM PST by radicalamericannationalist (The Senate is our new goal: 60 in '06.)
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To: cyborg
Hmmm company can tell girls to look like toothpicks but the threads about not having guns or smoking goes into the hundreds as to why they're wrong.

Anyone who takes a job that is called "Borgata Babe" HAS to know that her appearance is part of the job. Just as, if you work in a clothing store, you'll get fired for wearing shorts and flip flops.

Unless my smoking interferes with my job or is incompatible with the job description, the employer shouldn't care. A good example is teaching. Part of my job is to be a good example and role model. If I smell of smoke after my lunch break, am I setting a bad example? I guess we'll see! LOL! I'll start looking for a job next winter!

56 posted on 03/03/2005 7:29:24 PM PST by Dianna
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To: Dianna

They didn't have these standards before. If I was to read about 'career opportunities' at Borgata, I wouldn't apply there because I wouldn't be able to fit into the outfit. However, if I was ALREADY working there as a waitress then they decided to impose a no weight gain standard then I don't know about that. That's discrimination to me.


57 posted on 03/03/2005 7:31:56 PM PST by cyborg (http://mentalmumblings.blogspot.com/)
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To: cyborg
However, if I was ALREADY working there as a waitress then they decided to impose a no weight gain standard then I don't know about that. That's discrimination to me.

Yes, I share that concern. But I was specifically addressing why this case is different from the recent stories about smokers being fired. Appearance is part of this job. Smoking didn't have anything to do with the job itself.

IIRC, the smokers were not fired for anything having to do with their job performance or description. My example of teaching, demonstrates a possible job description link which COULD be used to fire a smoker (also in advance, not changing conditions for employment).

Sorry that I wasn't very clear.

58 posted on 03/03/2005 8:11:35 PM PST by Dianna
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To: Hudobna

...it teaches you a great many things about beauty in people that the very ugly and ghoulish SOB casino operator obviously needs to learn.



Welcome to Free Republic. (2-9-2005)

You sure you're on the right site?

"Bill of rights" to keep a job that requires attractiveness when one becomes unattractive? "Ghoulish" for hiring based on what customers perfer?


59 posted on 03/04/2005 6:40:55 AM PST by Atlas Sneezed (Your Friendly Freeper Patent Attorney)
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To: Beelzebubba

Okay, I got poetic. I meant wrong, unjust... humanly, socially pernicious... a dangerous precedent. My vision of society is not ABSOLUTE freedom... not when it means absolute tryanny.

Gotta run.

I hope I'm in the right place. So far yours is the only strongly dissenting opinion I've received. Which I gladly accept... as I run off to a job, hoping that I'm not too knock down dead beautiful... seeing as I need the cash!

Ciao Beelzebubba


60 posted on 03/04/2005 6:55:03 AM PST by Hudobna
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