Overwhelming Majority of Las Vegas Hospitality Employees Authorize Union to Initiate Strike Against Hotels and Casinos

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On Tuesday, a significant number of hospitality workers in Las Vegas voted in favor of empowering their union to initiate a strike that could affect upwards of three dozen hotels and casinos, vital components of the city’s economic infrastructure.

The Culinary Workers Union, which represents these employees, has not executed a strike in over 30 years.

While the union has yet to finalize a deadline for the potential work stoppage, it remains in negotiations with major employers on the Las Vegas Strip, including MGM Resorts International, Caesars Entertainment, and Wynn Resorts. The discussions focus on improved compensation, enhanced benefits, and better working conditions.

Should the state of Nevada’s largest labor union proceed with the strike, it would join a series of other high-visibility labor actions nationwide, such as those recently seen in Hollywood. Coinciding with the union’s vote, President Joe Biden made an appearance on a picket line in Michigan alongside United Auto Workers.

Earlier in the year, United Parcel Service (UPS) successfully negotiated a new agreement, averting a labor dispute that could have severely disrupted the national supply chain.

The appetite for labor actions has been on the rise, especially among workers demanding better wages, more secure working conditions, and greater job security, particularly in the aftermath of the pandemic. Employers, in turn, are increasingly feeling the pressure due to a growing need for labor.

In Nevada, the Culinary Union is the most sizable labor entity, with about 60,000 hospitality workers across the state under its representation. Recently, contracts for 40,000 of these members have come to an end.

Deanna Virgil, a veteran employee at Wynn Las Vegas, remarked to The Big Big News, “We form the backbone that sustains these hotels, and we ought to be compensated accordingly.”

Virgil was one of the 53,000 employees, spanning roles from housekeeping to bartending, eligible to partake in the vote. The union is expected to resume negotiations next week with MGM Resorts, Caesars, and Wynn Resorts.

In a statement released on Tuesday night, MGM Resorts cited its long history of successful negotiations with the union, expressing belief that “both sides are dedicated to arriving at a mutually beneficial contract.”

While Caesars chose not to respond to requests for comment, Wynn Resorts declined to issue a statement.

Although Virgil, with 38 years in the hospitality industry, can manage her current financial situation due to living with her adult daughter, she emphasized the challenges many face, stating, “One job should suffice.”

Bethany Khan, the spokesperson for the union, indicated that all union members currently receive health insurance and an approximate hourly wage of $26, inclusive of benefits. The union did not disclose the extent of the wage hikes it is seeking, stating they do not engage in public negotiations, but did confirm they are asking for “unprecedented wage increases.”

In 1991, over 500 workers staged a strike at the now-closed Frontier hotel and casino in downtown Las Vegas. Lasting for over six years, it became one of the lengthiest strikes in U.S. history. The union confirmed that all strikers eventually returned to their positions with back pay and restored benefits.

Most recently, in 2018, the union members authorized another strike, after which five-year contracts were swiftly negotiated. Rory Kuykendall, a bellperson at Flamingo Las Vegas, expressed optimism that the recent vote will yield similar results, stating, “The robust turnout is indicative of our collective readiness to take a stand.”

Last year, the casino workers’ union in Atlantic City successfully brokered landmark contracts, offering employees the largest wage increases they have ever received and effectively eliminating the possibility of strikes for multiple years. In contrast to previous contracts that primarily focused on retaining healthcare and pension benefits, the Atlantic City union this time aimed for “significant” wage boosts to help employees cope with the escalating costs of living.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Las Vegas Hospitality Workers Union Strike

More about Las Vegas Hospitality Workers Union Strike

• Culinary Workers Union Official Website
• MGM Resorts International Corporate Newsroom
• Caesars Entertainment Press Releases
• Wynn Resorts Media Center
• United Parcel Service (UPS) Pressroom
• United Auto Workers Official News
• Historical Overview of Labor Strikes in the United States
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics on Wages and Benefits
• Nevada State Economic Data
• Atlantic City Casino Workers Union Updates