Las Vegas casino operators are set for even more disruption after The Culinary Workers Union voted in favor of taking strike action as part of an ongoing dispute.
The Culinary Workers Union represents over 60,000 workers who are part of the hospitality sector in casinos across the Las Vegas strip, employed by the likes of MGM Resorts, Caesars Entertainment and Wynn Resorts.
Union members are in a dispute with casino bosses over pay and working conditions whilst in the process of negotiating new five-year contracts for their members.
The union states the new contracts are required as workers are now working on expired deals and “are at risk of a major labor dispute”.
In a vote of the 60,000 members, 53,000 of which are in Las Vegas, over 95% of members voted in favor of the action.
Ted Pappageorge, Secretary-Treasurer for the Culinary Union stated: “Today, Culinary and Bartenders Union members have sent the strongest message possible to the casino industry to settle a fair contract as soon as possible.
“We have negotiations scheduled next week with MGM Resorts, Caesars Entertainment, and Wynn/Encore Resorts, and it’s up to the three largest employers in Las Vegas to step up and do the right thing.
“If these gaming companies don’t come to an agreement, the workers have spoken and we will be ready to do whatever it takes – up to and including a strike. Workers brought every single one of these companies through the pandemic and into a great recovery, and workers deserve a fair share.”
The union is proposing a series of terms to the five-year contracts which include: securing the largest ever pay increase the union has negotiated; reduced workload requirements; the provision of best-on-job safety protections and making clear that a no-strike clause in the contracts would not prevent the union from taking action.
Despite the overwhelming support for action, no date has been set for strikes as the union aims to negotiate in good faith and secure a deal for its members.
