Aladdin Casino Opens Too Late for Protesters

Disappointing about 20,000 onlookers--including more than 1,000 labor union picketers--the new Aladdin gambling resort didn’t open until Friday, 16 hours late and to decidedly less fanfare and fireworks than planned.

The delay prevented members of Culinary Union Local 226 from going into the hotel-casino and attempting to recruit employees of the nonunion Aladdin--a labor action that they expected would lead to arrests for trespassing.

Union spokesman Chris Magoulas said Friday that despite the missed opportunity to disrupt the opening of the $1.4-billion resort, the Culinary Union would move forward with other, unspecified actions to press its demands that Aladdin management allow employees to sign union pledge cards.

Hotel management has said it would not balk at a more formal organizing election under the auspices of the National Labor Relations Board.

At the appointed hour Thursday night, Barbara Eden of television’s popular 1960s show “I Dream of Jeannie” appeared before the new Strip hotel, crossed her arms and executed her trademark blink signaling Aladdin’s opening.

But Fire Department inspectors and hotel technicians were still busy inside the hotel and casino, testing fire alarm and sprinkler systems.

The themed $300-million Desert Passage shopping and restaurant complex did open on time and was quickly swamped with onlookers. Most restaurants and many stores inside remained closed, however, and many visitors fled back outdoors because of poor air conditioning that seemed to operate optimally Friday.

Hotel spokesperson Lynn Holt said of the delayed casino opening: “I wasn’t embarrassed. I was disappointed. We hope everyone will come back again.”

Several hundred invited guests who were promised rooms for the hotel’s opening night were given accommodations at nearby Strip hotels.