Massive Casino Workers Strike Still Possible in Nevada

Article by : Erik Gibbs Jan 8, 2024

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The union announced its recent objective on Wednesday during an event attended by Vice President Kamala Harris. The event was held to commemorate the acquisition of over 40,000 new contracts for all Las Vegas workers.

Expressing concern, Culinary’s Secretary-Treasurer Ted Pappageorge mentioned at the event that strikes are anticipated and are not supported by authorities. The union has tentatively set a strike deadline. The organization might proceed either this month or in February.

As per a press release from the union, the contracts of 7,700 hospitality workers at 23 hotel-casinos expired in June.

Although the year is still in its early stages, the Culinary Workers Union is making strides to negotiate new five-year contracts for these workers, potentially impacting 21 Las Vegas-area hotel casinos and two others in Nevada.

The Culinary Union has commenced the year with notable momentum. This sudden rise in activity has been fueled by the successful negotiations for 40,000 workers at Caesars Entertainment, MGM Resorts International and Wynn Resorts.

The agreements, which have been labeled as historic and were strategically timed just before the Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix in November, left the major casino operators with little choice but to accede to the union’s demands.

Having achieved significant success with Vegas’s leading casino operators, the union has shifted its focus to various Nevada hotel casinos where workers currently lack a contractual agreement.

Pappageorge conveyed on Wednesday that if the strikes materialize, there would be a broader impact involving more locations than previously threatened in November.

In a press release, Pappageorge emphasized the importance of workers securing their fair share, expressing the determination to fight vigorously for the best contract ever, ensuring that one job is sufficient.

Ongoing negotiations with the Nevada hotel casinos are set to persist throughout this week and into the next.

Contrary to this, the LVRJ reported that Culinary has already reached contract agreements with Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas, Palms Casino Resort, The Mirage and Tropicana Las Vegas Casino Resort.

In addition to the union’s assertions, its actions have received support from influential figures. In November, President Joe Biden publicly supported the union’s endeavors, a sentiment reflected by union member Glen Wilson, an In-Room Dining Food Server at Caesars Palace, who conveyed that having the backing of the Vice President and the President is very significant to them.