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Cynthetiq · 02-18-2005, 06:58 AM

Quote:

CASINO GALS' FAT CHANCE
By GERSH KUNTZMAN
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The next Atlantic City weigh- in won't be for boxers — it'll be for cocktail waitresses.

On Monday, the flashy Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, known for its cleavage-baring booze servers, will start weighing all its "Borgata Babes" — and those who gain more than 7 percent will lose their jobs unless they lose the weight.

The new policy has infuriated women's groups and the waitress' union — but the hotel said it was merely advocating for its guests.

"Our customers like being served by an attractive cock tail server," said the hotel's spokeswoman, Noel Steven son.

It's unclear if the casino can legally fire people for gaining weight. A spokesman for the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission said federal anti-discrimination law could apply if the hotel does not take into account pregnancy or a medical condition, such as diabetes.

Two years ago, United Airlines paid $36 million to female flight attendants who sued over a policy that required them to weigh less then male counterparts of the same height and age.

A federal judge ruled that the weight requirement would be legal only if trim physiques were a "bona fide occupational qualification."

The Borgata may have found a way around that ruling.

"The official job description for a Borgata Babe is 'costumed beverage servers,' " said Michael Facenda, director of marketing for the hotel.

"It's a performance-art function. We believe that allows us to do this legally."

The Borgata Babes aren't just waitresses, Facenda added, but are a large part of the hotel's marketing campaigns.

The new policy will apply to all 210 costumed servers, which include 160 "Babes" and 50 male and female bartenders.

Facenda said those who are currently overweight have nothing to worry about — unless they put on more pounds after Monday's weigh-in.

Employees will be periodically reweighed to ensure compliance.

Facenda said pregnant Borgata Babes will be given less-revealing costumes, even after they give birth.

But if they can't meet the weight requirement 90 days after their maternity leave expires, they'll be fired.

A women's-rights advocate said the hotel's policy would contribute to stress and encourage eating disorders.

"Women should not have to starve themselves just to keep their jobs," said Diana Zuckerman of the National Research Center for Women & Families.

A former Borgata Babe said she quit last month when she heard about the new policy.

"It's going to cause girls to binge, purge, whatever — it's already causing stress," said Lori Allen, 36, who said she gained a fireable 13 pounds while taking prescribed medications.

Local 54, the union that represents Atlantic City hotel workers, said a grievance had been filed — but the new policy is no surprise to regulars.

"This is a casino that sells sex," said one casino insider.

" 'Borgata Babes' isn't a nickname. It's what the hotel calls them!

"They're doing well because they've tapped into a segment of the market that wasn't coming to Atlantic City."

When I used to frequent Las Vegas I used to prefer playing at Rio because the cocktail waitresses were the hottest and had the best outfits.

I definitely stayed away from The Dunes because they had the ugliest waitresses.

If the Playboy Club today were still around would they be able to do something like this?

If you go to a strip club especially the better ones like SCORES... well you get the idea.

I remember the airlines having problems enforcing such a thing a few decades ago, but then a small boutique airlines took to the air not too long ago to fill that same gap, Hooters Air.

Personally, as long as it's upfront and stated I have no issues with it. It's only if it's covert and not stated officially but kept unofficially then there's something to hide and can be sketchy. If all parties go into it knowingly, then more power to them all.