Downtown Las Vegas Casino Workers To Delay Strike as Negotiations Continue

Article by : Erik Gibbs Feb 2, 2024

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Hospitality employees and workers at 10 downtown Las Vegas hotel-casinos will have an extended window for negotiations on a new five-year contract, as announced by Culinary Local 226 on Wednesday.

With approximately 2,600 union members from downtown and certain Strip resorts on the brink of a potential strike at 5 AM on Friday, the union decided to push the strike deadline for the 10 downtown properties to 5 AM on Monday.

However, the original Friday deadline remains unchanged for three independently operated properties on the Strip and off-Strip, including Rio, Sahara and Virgin.

A significant development occurred on Wednesday when the Plaza reached a tentative agreement for its 250 unionized workers, making it the first downtown property to achieve this milestone.

Jonathan Jossel, CEO of the Plaza, conveyed contentment, expressing happiness that their team members would receive recognition.

Ted Pappageorge, the Secretary-Treasurer for the union, underscored the continuous endeavors to establish equitable contracts. He highlighted the necessity for uniformity in wage increases, benefit safeguards, safety protocols and technology provisions.

Pappageorge emphasized the unity and preparedness of workers throughout the Strip, encompassing both downtown and the main Strip, to assert their rights.

Ongoing negotiations are underway for a new contract affecting three Las Vegas resorts—Rio, Sahara and Virgin Las Vegas—as they work against the looming strike deadline set for Friday, February 2.

The Culinary Union plans to initiate continuous picketing at all unresolved Las Vegas area resorts starting at 10 AM on Friday and extending through Saturday, February 3, at 10 PM.

While clarified as an information picket and not a strike, it serves as a labor demonstration. Workers, like Circa employee Satoria Partridge, express their fight for a living wage, job security and benefits.

The previous contract paid an average of $28 per hour, including benefits, while the proposed contract raises it to $37 per hour, inclusive of benefits.

Concurrent negotiations involve the Golden Nugget, Circa, The D Casino and the Golden Gate, with Fremont and Main Street Hotel negotiations scheduled for Thursday.

Ted Pappageorge helped ratify the deal by MGM Resorts International, Caesars Entertainment and Wynn Resorts with union members in November.

The threat of a strike just days before the Formula One race applied pressure on operators to finalize the contract.

Despite weekly or daily negotiations between union representatives and employers, the progress has been insufficient, according to Pappageorge.

The Culinary Union is advocating for a new city-wide five-year contract benefiting housekeepers, servers, bellmen, porters, bartenders and kitchen and laundry workers throughout the valley.

In the pursuit of fair agreements, negotiations continue amidst ongoing efforts by the union.