Las Vegas Culinary Union Threatens Strike Over Contract Disputes

Las Vegas Culinary Union members are preparing for a possible work stoppage as soon as February 2nd. Close to 8,000 employees, encompassing bartenders and restaurant personnel, might initiate a walkout at 5 am that day should contract discussions collapse.

This development follows the Union’s success last year in securing accords with prominent casino entities such as MGM, Caesars, and Wynn by leveraging the prospect of analogous strike activity. Their requests then, mirroring the present, focus on enhanced remuneration and strengthened safety protocols within the workplace.

Currently, 21 casino-hotels situated both on and off the Las Vegas Strip find themselves in the Union’s sights, with many confronting the possibility of a strike for the first time. Venues like the Rio, Circus Circus, Trump Hotel, Circa, Four Queens, and Golden Nugget are included on this list.

Discussions with certain properties, including Hilton Resorts and the Strat, are scheduled to commence on January 9th. Conversations with others, such as Circus Circus, Sahara, and Circa, are anticipated later that week. Should these dialogues prove unsuccessful, the strike action could commence even earlier than February 2nd.

The Culinary Workers Union’s financial head, Ted Pappageorge, stressed the critical need for a strike. He explained that after twelve months of discussions, talks with the big three casino companies, along with several standalone casinos, had not produced an equitable agreement for the 7,700 hospitality staff members across 21 properties. He emphasized the requirement for a landmark deal that mirrors the unprecedented earnings these corporations are experiencing, guaranteeing these vital employees and their loved ones obtain their deserved portion and financial stability. Pappageorge reiterated the union’s enduring dedication to championing equitable compensation, employment stability, and medical coverage for Las Vegas hospitality personnel over the last ninety years, playing a crucial part in making these positions viable for households.