Culinary Union Members Arrested in Vegas over Civil Disobedience

The Culinary Union Local 226 announced that 23 of its members have been arrested for civil disobedience. This news comes amid the union’s continued push for a new 5-year union contract at Virgin Las Vegas.

Authorities Arrested 23 Culinary Union Members

Virgin Las Vegas’ contract with the Culinary and Bartenders Unions expired on June 1, 2023. Since then, the unions have actively campaigned for new contracts, demanding better work conditions.

Just ahead of Labor Day weekend, however, authorities arrested 23 Culinary Union members for non-violent civil disobedience.  According to the union, its members’ labor demonstration began with picketing on Harmon Avenue.

The protesters were led by elected leaders of the Culinary Union, including secretary-treasurer Ted Pappageorge and president Diana Valles. The picketing union members sat down in the middle of the Virgin Las Vegas porte-cochère, which, according to the local authorities, constituted an act of civil disobedience.

Virgin Las Vegas Remains Stubborn

Pappageorge commented on the latest protests, saying that last evening’s negotiations were a “clear message” to Virgin Las Vegas that “it’s time to do the right by their workers.” He noted that the main negotiations with the company took place in early July but failed to reach an agreement. Virgin Las Vegas, according to the secretary-treasurer, continued to exist on no raises for the first 3 years of the contract.

The company hasn’t offered more than zero in wage increases for the first 3 years of the contract since the first day of negotiations and it’s disappointing that we haven’t seen real movement. The contract expired 15 months ago and the Virgin Las Vegas’ proposal and treatment of their own workers who deserve a raise is unacceptable.

Ted Pappageorge, secretary-treasurer, Culinary Union

Pamela Holmes, a lead usher at Virgin Las Vegas and Culinary Union member for 15 years, also commented on the matter, saying that the casino has been unfair to her co-workers. She thanked all union members who participated in the latest protest for their solidarity. Holmes vowed to never give up fighting for the “best contract ever.”

Isabel Gonzalez, a guest room attendant at Virgin Las Vegas and Culinary Union member for 14 years, said that she regrets that the casino remains so stubborn while its competitors have already agreed to offer their workers better conditions. Gonzales believes that Virgin Las Vegas is treating Culinary Union members like second-class workers despite their hard work to make the casino successful.

The recent picketing follows earlier protests that failed to sway Virgin Las Vegas and convince it to offer better conditions to its workers.