Virgin Hotels Las Vegas and the Culinary Union Continue Stalemate
Virgin Hotels Las Vegas and the Culinary Union seem to have hit a stalemate in their labor negotiations. Whether either side will make concessions isn't clear from recent public statements.
Last week, Culinary Union Secretary-Treasurer Ted Pappageorge deemed the latest management offer "unacceptable." However, the company labeled this as their "final, best, and last offer" to hospitality workers.
Both parties have been attempting to hammer out an agreement for the past five months. Hospitality workers have been without a contract for approximately one year.
Lack of Good Faith Bargaining
Earlier this month, the company asserted that the Culinary Union isn't bargaining in good faith. The organization also filed an unfair labor practice charge against the union with the National Labor Relations Board.
The property's parent company, JC Hospitality, informed the union in a May 21 letter that it perceived union officials' demands as "take it or leave it." Furthermore, they claimed union representatives seem reluctant to negotiate.
The union's actions have supposedly made reaching an agreement challenging, according to the letter.
"We believe that your continued insistence that we negotiate against ourselves is unfair. Your failure to bargain in good faith is harming our team members. We want these negotiations to conclude so that everyone at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas - management and all employees - can concentrate on our business and our guests."
In the letter, management revealed it modified its wage and benefit offer for the fourth time. The company vows to ensure benefit contributions for the contract's first three years, they said.
For the last two years, the company wants to ensure its employees receive a definite wage increase. As a result, instead of reopening the contact for economic discussions at that time, as proposed in the previous offer, the company is now suggesting a $1.00/hr packaging increase for each of those years, the letter states.
48-Hour Strike
The union initiated a 48-hour strike in mid-May. Numerous union members picketed at the property. Additionally, Pappageorge disclosed the union's proposed wage increase was the same one presented to Caesars Entertainment, MGM Resorts International hotels or casinos, and two dozen other independent Las Vegas properties.
The union has obtained most of its employees a 10% wage hike in the initial year of the contract. Furthermore, the overall compensation increase over the five-year deal amounts to 32%.
In conclusion, the decision ultimately lies with the company, said Pappageorge in a recent statement.
"The notion that we're asking this company to adhere to the same standard that the Rio and the Sahara and the (Strat) have adhered to for months isn't a high bar. When you visit Vegas, you need to bring cash to invest in infrastructure and employees. Unfortunately, Virgin isn't meeting those requirements." [sic]
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