By if a new labor contract isn’t agreed upon, union officials said.
If no agreement is reached, union members, which include housekeepers, bellhops, and bartenders, are prepared to walk off the job on August 31. The contract currently offered by the hotel employers does not adequately address the workers’ demands, which include better wages, improved job security, and stronger safety protections.
The strike could bring work to a halt in popular casinos and hotels, including Caesars Palace, Bellagio, Paris Las Vegas, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay, Park MGM, The Cosmopolitan, and ARIA. Las Vegas Strip casinos often rely heavily on tourism, and a strike could reduce foot traffic and affect the gaming industry.
The Culinary Union, which represents more than 60,000 workers at 43 casinos in Nevada and surrounding areas, began negotiating with the casino employers for a new labor contract in early May. Despite months of negotiations, the two sides have not yet come to an agreement.
Union officials say they are serious about their intention to strike, and they are urging hotel employers to negotiate a fair and just contract that meets the workers’ demands. They are calling on the casino employers to recognize the value of hardworking hospitality employees who help build Las Vegas into the iconic tourist destination it is today. In the event of a strike, the union is providing members financial assistance to ensure they can continue to pay rent and take care of their families.
