Operator News
US – Las Vegas hospitality workers vote by 95 per cent to strike on the Las Vegas Strip
By Phil - 29 September 2023
Nevada casinos are bracing themselves for strike action, following the Culinary Workers Union in Las Vegas, the largest union in the state, voting to strike against major casinos if contract negotiations aren’t resolved.
Members of the Culinary and Bartenders Unions have voted by 95 per cent to authorise a Citywide Strike after tens of thousands of hospitality workers packed the Thomas and Mack Center on campus at the University of Nevada – Las Vegas in two sessions to cast their votes.
Now, Culinary and Bartenders Unions negotiating committee is authorized to call for a strike at 22 casino resorts properties on the Las Vegas Strip between the largest employers MGM Resorts, Caesars Entertainment Corporation, and Wynn/Encore Resorts. The Culinary Union, which is now authorized to call for a strike at any date or time, has not yet set a strike deadline and continues negotiating in good faith with all gaming companies.
Culinary Union represents 60,000 hospitality workers in Nevada. 53,000 are based in Las Vegas and are in active negotiations with casino/hotel employers for a new 5-year contract. As of September 15, 2023, 40,000 workers employed at 22 casino resorts among the three largest gaming employers in the state (MGM Resorts, Caesars Entertainment, and Wynn/Encore Resorts) are working under an expired contract and are at risk of a major labor dispute.
“Today, Culinary and Bartenders Union members have sent the strongest message possible to the casino industry to settle a fair contract as soon as possible. We have negotiations scheduled next week with MGM Resorts, Caesars Entertainment, and Wynn/Encore Resorts and it’s up the three largest employers in Las Vegas to step up and do the right thing,” said Ted Pappageorge, Secretary-Treasurer for the Culinary Union. “If these gaming companies don’t come to an agreement, the workers have spoken and we will be ready to do whatever it takes – up to and including a strike. Workers brought every single one of these companies through the pandemic and into a great recovery, and workers deserve a fair share. Companies are doing extremely well and we are demanding that workers aren’t left behind.”
“I voted yes to authorize a strike because I’m fighting for my family and for our future,” said Maria Sanchez, a guest room attendant at the Bellagio and Culinary Union member for three years. “The workload since the pandemic has been intense and when I get home I’m so tired and I don’t have energy to take my two kids to the park or play with them. I feel sad like I’m just living to work and it’s not right. I was thinking about getting a second job, but I’m already doing more than one job at work right now and I believe that one job should be enough! I voted yes to win the best contract ever so that I can work one job and come home to spend time with my children.”
“I’m fighting to win the best contract ever with the best wage increases we’ve ever had, to protect out union benefits, and to make sure we have the workload reduction and technology language we need so that we aren’t left behind,” said Angelica Romero, a houseperson at the Encore Casino and Culinary Union member for 15 years. “I voted yes to authorize a strike because I am ready to do whatever it takes – include going on strike to win what we deserve.”
“I was at the Thomas and Mack today to have my voice heard. I was proud to voted yes to authorize a strike to protect my future,” said Roselyn Buie, a cook at the Flamingo and Culinary Union member for 37 years. “I’ve worked hard for decades to provide for my family and I want to continue to protect my retirement and pension. If I have to go on strike to win the best contract ever, then I’m ready to do that in order to win for my family and have my fair share of what we deserve.”
Earlier in September, the Culinary and Bartender Unions sent a formal letter to eight of the MGM Resorts International properties, each of the Caesars Entertainment Corporation properties, and Wynn/Encore to initiate a 7-day notice to end the contract extensions that were in place. Terminating the contract extension agreements means that 40,000 Culinary and Bartenders Union members are working under an expired contract and that there is an increased risk of a potential major labor dispute in Las Vegas. Union contracts are only expired with eight of the MGM Resorts properties, each of the Caesars Entertainment properties, and Wynn/Encore Resorts adding up to 22 casino resort properties on the Las Vegas Strip among those employers.
Terms and conditions of an expired collective bargaining agreement largely remain in effect, including wages, benefits, and job security protections, but the no-strike provisions are no longer in effect which will set the stage for workers to go on strike after a successful strike authorization, and if the Culinary and Bartender Unions and employers do not come to an agreement before a strike deadline. The Culinary Union has not yet set a strike deadline.
Culinary and Bartenders Unions are negotiating a new 5-year contract with the following casino resorts on the Las Vegas Strip where contracts at 22 properties are expired, including MGM Resorts International: Aria, Bellagio, Excalibur, Luxor, Mandalay Bay, MGM Grand, New York-New York, and Park MGM,
MGM said ‘both parties are committed to negotiating a contract that is good for everyone.’
Nevada Senator Jacky Rosen supported the union in negotiations, saying: “Culinary Union workers power Nevada’s economy. I stand with them as they exercise their right to bargain for better wages and a fair contract — because one job should be enough.”
