Caesars Entertainment has managed to avoid a mass workers strike a week before Formula One comes to Las Vegas after reaching a deal with the Culinary Workers Union.
The union had previously set a deadline of November 10 to reach a deal with Caesars as well as MGM Resorts and Wynn Resorts, but Caesars has struck a deal to ensure that workers will not disrupt the casino’s operations going forward.
Terms of the deal have not been disclosed but the union had previously outlined several key demands including the largest wage increase in union history, a reduction in workload and housekeeping room quotas, the implementation of “best on-the-job safety protections” and the extension of recall rights.
As tensions have escalated in this dispute, workers have been picketing to pile pressure on the casinos to make concessions in the negotiations. In September, the 60,000 union members authorized strike action in an overwhelming majority vote.
But after months of negotiations with the casino operator, the CWU stated: “After 20 straight hours of negotiations, Culinary Union is pleased to announce a Tentative Agreement towards a new five-year contract has been reached with Caesars Entertainment for approx 10,000 hospitality workers at nine Las Vegas properties.”
While one deal has been struck, the union remains in talks with MGM and Wynn in a bid to avoid a strike occurring from tomorrow.
MGM Resorts CEO Bill Hornbuckle has indicated that a deal is close, noting that an announcement could be made today regarding a deal.
He told investors yesterday: “We’re literally in session as we speak. I believe we will come to a deal today. We know from listening to our employees that they’re looking for a pay increase that combats inflation, as well as reduced workloads, among other concerns. This deal, when announced, will do just that and will result in the largest pay increase in the history of our negotiations with the Culinary Union.”
Negotiations have been taking place for over seven months for new contracts for casino workers in Las Vegas, with union representatives seeking fairer pay after several years of tough work in the light of the pandemic.
