Vegas Culinary and Bartenders Union Decides to Initiate Strike
Workers at Las Vegas restaurants and hotels are now equipped to strike after receiving overwhelming support from their union members during a recent vote.
The Culinary and Bartenders Union reported that 95% of their workers participated in the strike authorization ballot, which means they're ready to walk off their jobs if negotiations with casino operators fail to yield a favorable outcome. However, there's no word yet on any potential strike action as of Wednesday.
According to Ted Pappageorge, the union's secretary-treasurer, this strong show of support makes it more likely that the gaming companies will step up to the plate and reach a fair deal during their scheduled talks with MGM Resorts, Caesars Entertainment, and Wynn/Encore Resorts next week.
Pappageorge further emphasized that if the casinos don't reach an agreement with the unions, the workers have made it abundantly clear that they're prepared to take further action, including a strike. He also stressed the necessity of fair pay for employees who helped these gaming companies weather the ravages of the pandemic and get back on their feet.
The union represents hotel and restaurant staff, bartenders, and other non-gaming employees at top Las Vegas resorts. Despite their contracts with MGM, Caesars, and Wynn having already expired in June, negotiations have been ongoing through September.
Virgil Deanna, a Wynn employee for many years, expressed her desire for better compensation after casting her vote for the strike authorization on Tuesday.
If union members go on strike, it could significantly impact Las Vegas's revenue generation, as the city anticipates hosting thousands of visitors in November for a Formula 1 event and in February for the Super Bowl.
Still, union members maintain that they're still open to negotiating in good faith and hope to avoid a walkout by reaching an agreement with the casinos. Their demands include improved compensation, fair working conditions, and additional safety precautions for their staff.
MGM Resorts, in response to the developing situation, expressed its optimism for the talks, stating that previous negotiations with the unions have always been successful. “We are hopeful that these discussions will be fruitful,” the company said in a statement.
Wynn and Caesars had not provided comments as of press time, according to the New York Times.
In 2018, the union's previous five-year contract expired, and a strike was authorized. A settlement was eventually struck before any walkouts took place.
Now, with growing labor influence in various industries, these recent negotiations mark a pivotal moment for the Culinary and Bartenders Union. As President Joe Biden stood in solidarity with striking autoworkers in Michigan earlier this week, and the Writers Guild announced a tentative agreement with Hollywood studios, the proposed casino in Richmond, Virginia also committed to using union labor if approved as reported by several news outlets.
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Source: www.casino.org
