Casino San Pablo Workers Protest Anti-Union Firing

At Casino San Pablo just north of Richmond, workers and community supporters joined in a candlelight vigil to focus public attention on the termination of one worker, the threatened firing of another, and efforts by the wealthy casino to roll back benefits for its employees.

Nirmani Kalakheti came to the vigil with his wife and daughter.  Kalakheti was fired after he took time off to mourn the death of his father, according to Hindu ritual.  While the casino gave him permission to take the time, he was fired after he returned to his job.   "I feel that I have been targeted as a union leader and that the Casino management

is not respecting my religious and cultural traditions," he said.