Despite employees arriving for work yesterday, the floating casino moored in the port of Buenos Aires was once again closed for business. The casino, operated by the Spanish company Cirsa, was expected to open at 2 p.m. on Monday after a dispute between rival unions had forced the closure on 3 May. Last Friday a ruling by the Employment Ministry on obligatory conciliation led to preparations being made for the reopening.

Just half-an-hour after the employees arrived to take up their positions a group of around 20 people broke into the casino and attacked the staff. Around ten people were injured and the main union ALEARA, which represents the vast majority of casino employees, suspects that rival union SOMU was behind the attack. SOMU denies involvement.

ALEARA is considering what it should do next. Cirsa proposed that the casino should reopen today and the employees agreed, having been assured of extra security for their safety. It is anticipated that the floating casino will once again be operational from six in the morning. The unions continue to battle over the representation of the nearly 2,000 casino employees. (E-06.12.07)

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