Messages From Companies

Coca-Cola Enterprises is attempting to locate all Harahan/New Orleans employees and Gulf Coast Coca-Cola employees immediately to ensure their safety.

Employees should call (877) 269-9385 to report their location or e-mail Beth Ingram at bingram@na.cokecce.com.

Coca-Cola Gulf States & Southern States said it will continue to pay employees, even though its operations have been shut down.

It's unclear for how long those wages will be paid though. Coke is working on offering displaced workers jobs at Coca-Cola bottling facilities near where they have been evacuated to. Coke is also allowing employees to remove funds from their 401K accounts without penalty

Mississippi Casinos:
http://www.sunherald.com/mld/sunherald/news/special_packages/hurricane_katrina/12567461.htm

Imperial Palace

All Imperial Palace employees are asked to report to work at 8 a.m. as soon as they are able. The hotel has been rented to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Mississippi Power and others. However, the casino's owner hopes to have the dice rolling and the slot machines reeling in three to four months.

But first, there's a lot of cleaning to do.

"We have jobs that we can have our employees do," said Debbie Murphy, director of human resources. "We have been working people since last Tuesday. Anybody who wants to report to work needs to report. They need to be here by 8 a.m., any morning at 8 a.m."

Jeff Cooper, the casino's corporate treasurer, said the casino's employees have been troopers in the effort.

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Harrah's Entertainment

Employees of Grand Casino Biloxi and Grand Casino Gulfport will continue to receive regular base pay for 90 days. The company is covering health care premiums. No deductions will be taken from the pay checks of hourly or non-management employees.

The company has also removed pre-authorization for all medical care. All medical claims will be processed as "in-network" care regardless of where they receive medical care.

Harrah's has targeted Thursday morning for the opening of an employee information center at its corporate office on Seaway Road.

Anthony Sanfilippo, president of central division for Harrah's U.S. operations, said the company is focusing on employee needs at this point more than longer-term issues.

"Our primary focus has been on helping employees get to the point where they can start recovery and for them to be in a safe place," he said. "There has been little discussion on the business aspects."

Once those needs are met, he said the company would "step back and assess our business on the Coast and start to address the rebuilding of properties."

Details for employees: (877) 422-7466.

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Pinnacle Entertainment

Pinnacle currently has plans to rebuild in Biloxi, where it operated Casino Magic Biloxi. The company is preliminarily working with the same team of architects, designers and general contractors who built its new Lake Charles, La., casino resort. In the meantime, Pinnacle has continued to pay the base pay and provide other benefits to all its employees.

"We are determined to do everything that we can do as a company to help the region rebuild and help our employees return to their normal lives as quickly as possible," said Daniel R. Lee, CEO of Pinnacle Entertainment.

Details for employees: (800) 665-8738.

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Isle of Capri

Isle of Capri Casinos Inc. is handing out pay checks on Monday and today. The Biloxi-based casino company plans to reopen its corporate offices on Monday.

Hourly employees will receive pay checks every two weeks for 90 days and salaried employees for nine months with health benefits.

"We do plan to rebuild. Definitely," said Joyce Hart, executive assistant to Tim Hinckley, the company's chief operating officer.

Details: (800) 843-4753.

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MGM Mirage

All Beau Rivage employees remain employed and have on-going benefits.

"Recognizing the enormous long-term need for support, MGM Mirage intends to play a leading role in the rebuilding of Biloxi just as we have been a significant part of Biloxi's success," said J. Terrence Lanni, CEO of MGM Mirage. "The recovery process will be long and difficult, but we will see the Gulf Coast recover form this devastating event and return all the stronger."

The company has made arrangements with Wachovia Bank branches to ensure employee paychecks are honored. Beginning 4 p.m. today (Tuesday) check will be available at distribution center being established at Beau Rivage. Employees unable to access the property can call the call center to make arrangements to get their pay checks.

Details for employees: (866) 368-7399.

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Penn National Gaming

Penn National Gaming is the parent company of Casino Magic Bay St. Louis and Boomtown.

"Our first priority is to help locate and provide immediate assistance to our nearly 2,000 employees and their families," said Peter M. Carlino, CEO of Penn National Gaming. "We are urging employees to call us toll-free at (800) 598-0756 to let us know they're OK and tell us how we can help address their needs."

Details for employees: (800) 598-0756.

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Hard Rock International and Premier Entertainment

Premier Entertainment, the owner of the Biloxi casino property, believes it is adequately insured and intends to rebuild the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino property.

"Right now, our primary concern is for the safety and well being of our employees and neighbors on the Gulf Coast," said Joe Billhimer, president of the casino. "We are committed to the region and encourage our staff to contact us for more information."

Details for employees of Hard Rock in Biloxi and in New Orleans: (888) 886-0920.

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The Copa Casino and the Palace Casino

The Sun Herald will keep trying to contact casino officials. Communications remain a challenge because of the hurricane.

Fellow Freepers:

At the suggestion of writer Michelle Malkin last Friday, I have cobbled together a blogsite called Texas Clearinghouse for Katrina Aid to serve as a clearinghouse for refugee efforts in Texas.

Texas is getting more refugees than any other state -- that's fine, we'll take them all -- but we need help providing them with food, clothing, and shelter.

If you are a refugee, you can information that will help you find relief. If you want to donate or volunteer, you can find someone who needs you.

Right now the site mostly covers Houston, San Antonio, and Dallas but I will add various churches, schools, and other charities in Lubbock and Austin tonight. My wife was down at Reunion Arena in Dallas yesterday handing out care packages and spiritually ministering to the refugees as a representative of her employer. She says that the situation is tragic and that there's a lot of work to be done. There are so many children who don't know where their parents are or even if their parents are still alive.

There are a lot of churches and other organizations in Texas that need help in dealing with the problem and I would appreciate it if you would get the word out.

Many thanks,

Michael McCullough

Stingray blogsite

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