Las Vegas Hotel Workers Set Strike Deadline
LAS VEGAS — In a major show of force, tens of thousands of Las Vegas hotel workers have set a deadline for a sweeping strike. This move threatens to create significant disruptions to the city's economy, potentially coinciding with the inaugural Formula 1 races on the Strip later this month.
The Culinary Workers Union is leading the charge, with approximately 35,000 members whose contracts expired earlier this year ready to walk off the job at 18 casinos. If agreements are not reached with casino giants MGM Resorts International, Caesars Entertainment, and Wynn Resorts by November 10th, a strike will be initiated.
This strike deadline falls just five days before the much-anticipated Las Vegas Grand Prix weekend. With the event expected to attract thousands of people to the Strip, the union's secretary-treasurer and chief contract negotiator, Ted Pappageorge, took the opportunity to urge tourists and Formula 1 ticket-holders to support the workers by avoiding Las Vegas and refusing to cross picket lines.
Pappageorge emphasized that while they hope a strike will not be necessary, the workers are fully prepared and united if it comes to that.
This potential strike by Nevada's largest labor union, which boasts approximately 60,000 members statewide, would mark the first in decades.
If the strike does materialize, it would join a growing list of high-profile labor unrest actions across the country. From Hollywood walkouts to UPS's contentious negotiations that had the potential to disrupt the nation's supply chain, workers are increasingly making their voices heard. Last month, hospitality workers at Detroit's three casinos, including MGM Grand Detroit, also went on strike.
The 18 properties in Las Vegas that could be impacted by a strike include Aria, Bellagio, Excalibur, Luxor, Mandalay Bay, MGM Grand, New York-New York, Park MGM, Caesars Palace, Flamingo, Harrah’s, Horseshoe, Paris Las Vegas, Planet Hollywood, The Cromwell, The Linq, and Wynn and Encore Resorts.
The Union's Deadline for Casino Companies
The union representing hospitality workers in three major casino companies has set a deadline for negotiations. Despite numerous unsuccessful rounds of talks, Wynn Resorts, Caesars, and MGM Resorts have yet to reach an agreement. A spokesperson for Wynn Resorts declined to comment, while Caesars and MGM Resorts did not respond to emailed requests for comment.
Negotiations, which began in April, have primarily focused on pay and working conditions. Currently, union members receive health insurance and earn approximately $26 per hour, including benefits. Union spokesperson Bethany Khan did not disclose the specific pay raise being sought, stating that negotiations are not conducted publicly. However, the union has emphasized that it is asking for the largest wage increases ever negotiated in its history.
In addition to pay, hospitality workers are also pushing for improved job security in the face of advancing technology. They are calling for stronger security measures, including the provision of more safety buttons. Leslie Lilla, a veteran Bellagio cocktail waitress, expressed concern for the safety of workers on the casino floor. She stressed the need for enhanced security measures and emergency buttons in service bars to ensure the protection of both employees and guests.
Throughout seven months of negotiations, the union claims to have remained patient with the casino companies. However, the lack of progress has prompted large-scale rallies on the Strip. In October, a rally led to rush-hour traffic disruptions and the subsequent arrests of 58 hotel workers who staged a sit-in as a demonstration of their determination.
According to Lilla, this is a critical moment for the labor movement. She believes that it is essential to create a society with a thriving middle class rather than a stark division between the upper and lower classes. In her view, unions play a crucial role in realizing this goal.
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