Largest Las Vegas Culinary Union Enters Final Round of Negotiations with Major Resort Companies, Strike Deadline Set

LAS VEGAS – The largest culinary union in Las Vegas, representing 35,000 hospitality workers on the Strip, has set a strike deadline of Friday, November 10, 2023 at 5 a.m. if no agreement can be reached with the three major resort companies: Caesars Entertainment, MGM Resorts, and Wynn Resorts.

Culinary union negotiators will meet with each company this week to try to reach a new contract agreement. If no agreement is reached by the deadline, union members are prepared to walk off the job.

The union is seeking a new contract that includes wage increases, improved healthcare benefits, and stronger job security protections. The union is also demanding that the companies do more to protect workers from sexual harassment and discrimination.

On Monday, union members gathered at the culinary union headquarters in downtown Las Vegas to prepare picket signs for the possible strike.

“All of the people involved are all dedicated,” said a Bellagio employee making picket signs. “This is what we’re going to do. I’m even off on Friday, but I’m going to be there to support my workers that are walking out of the building at 5 a.m. Friday morning.”

The union said that a strike would impact 18 casino resorts on the Las Vegas Strip. This includes some of the most popular and well-known casinos in the world, such as the Bellagio, Caesars Palace, and the Venetian.

Secretary-Treasurer Ted Pappageorge said that there has been some positive movement in negotiations, and the union is “cautiously optimistic” going into the final round of negotiation sessions this week.

However, Pappageorge also warned that the union is prepared to strike if necessary. “We are ready to do what it takes to get a fair contract for our workers,” he said.

The timing of the strike deadline is significant, as it comes just days before the Formula One Las Vegas Grand Prix is scheduled to take place. The Grand Prix is expected to attract hundreds of thousands of visitors to Las Vegas, and a strike would have a major impact on the event.

Union members are hoping that the timing of the strike deadline will add extra pressure to the companies to compromise on a contract agreement to avoid a strike.

Impact of a Possible Strike

A strike by culinary union members would have a significant impact on the Las Vegas tourism industry. The Culinary Workers Union Local 226 is the largest union in Nevada and represents workers in a wide range of hospitality jobs, including cooks, waiters, bartenders, housekeepers, and bellmen.

A strike would likely cause widespread disruption at the casinos, which are major employers in Las Vegas. It could also lead to cancellations of hotel reservations and conference bookings.

The strike deadline also comes at a time when the Las Vegas tourism industry is still recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. A strike could further damage the industry and its economic recovery.

Credits: Fox 5 Vegas