HAMMOND | Members of the Stagehands Local 125 are unhappy out-of-state nonunion stagehands were hired to work at the Horseshoe Casino in Hammond, and will conduct an informational picket about the situation starting at 4 p.m. today outside of the casino.

Rick Wilbanks, president of the Stagehands Local 125, said the informational picket will be "the first of several times" union members will picket at the location.

Wilbanks said Stagehands Local 125 sought to provide stage labor at the Horseshoe Casino at a competitive rate, but nonunion workers from Illinois were selected.

He said the union includes area residents who are qualified to provide stage labor, and he isn't sure why union workers weren't selected to work at the casino.

Horseshoe Casino officials could not be reached for comment Friday.