Posted on: January 29, 2024, 11:16h.
Last updated on: January 29, 2024, 11:16h.
Thousands of Culinary Union workers are threatening to walk off the job later this week if they do not reach settlements with Las Vegas hotels and casinos.
As of Monday, some 15 Las Vegas Strip and downtown Las Vegas properties have yet to agree to tentative contracts with their hospitality workers.
That includes almost 4K Culinary Union members.
The Culinary Union has threatened to go out on strike at 5 a.m. Friday at properties without initial agreements in place.
New Settlements
In recent days, the Culinary Union reached a tentative contract with workers at Circus Circus Hotel & Casino Las Vegas.
The five-year deal was initially approved Friday and still needs to be okayed by rank-and-file workers. It governs almost 700 Circus Circus employees.
Details weren’t provided on the agreement.
But Altamont Williams, a linen attendant at Circus Circus, said, “I’m so pleased on the money that we are getting. This is the best contract we’ve ever had…I am so ecstatic,” according to a Culinary Union statement.
Last Wednesday, the Culinary Union also reached a tentative, five-year contract with Hilton Grand Vacations in Las Vegas. It covers some 500 hospitality workers.
Last Tuesday, the union also reached a tentative deal with hundreds of hospitality workers at the Strat Hotel, Casino & Tower.
On Friday, the union additionally held an informational picket outside of the Circa, Golden Nugget, and Fremont casinos.
Among the properties yet to reach a tentative agreement with the union are Rio, Sahara Las Vegas, Treasure Island, Virgin Hotels, Binion’s, Circa, Downtown Grand, El Cortez, Four Queens, Fremont, Golden Gate, Golden Nugget, Main Street, The D, and the Plaza.
Upcoming Super Bowl
The threatened strike is scheduled to occur just days before the Super Bowl and could interfere with a likely moneymaker for hotels and casinos in Las Vegas. The iconic pro football game will be played at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Sunday, February 11.
Many events are scheduled to take place in Las Vegas during the week before the game. Events will kick off with Super Bowl Opening Night at Allegiant Stadium on February 5.
In November, Culinary Union members reached agreements with management at three large casino companies: Wynn Resorts, Caesars Entertainment, and MGM Resorts International, averting a threatened strike. In recent weeks, contracts were achieved at some other properties, such as the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino.
Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) of Southern Nevada bus drivers and mechanics are also threatening to go out on strike. It could impact bus service in the days leading up to and on the Super Bowl.
