Las Vegas Faces Potential Strike as Hospitality Workers Vote on Walkout

Las Vegas, known for its bustling casinos and luxurious hotels, is on the brink of a major labor showdown as thousands of hospitality workers consider the possibility of going on strike. 

Las Vegas Hospitality Workers Weigh Strike Amid Demands for Fair Compensation

On September 26, more than 53,000 members of the Culinary Workers Union, including housekeepers, cocktail servers, cooks, and bartenders, exercised their democratic right by voting on whether to authorize a potential walkout, reported the Associated Press. This decision could have significant repercussions, affecting some of the city’s most iconic casinos and hotels.

While the results of the vote are yet to be disclosed, the union clarified that they had not set a strike deadline. Their primary objectives include securing better compensation, improved working conditions, and enhanced benefits through ongoing negotiations with major employers such as MGM Resorts International, Caesars Entertainment, and Wynn Resorts.

Deanna Virgil, a dedicated veteran of the hospitality industry with 38 years of experience at Wynn Las Vegas, conveyed her viewpoint, stressing that the workforce constitutes a vital component in preserving the unity of these hotels and asserting that their compensation should align with their rightful value. Virgil, like many others in her field, emphasized the importance of fair wages, especially in a city driven by tourism and entertainment.

The Culinary Union has remained tight-lipped about the specific wage increase they are seeking, but their spokesperson, Bethany Khan, mentioned that all members currently earn around $26 per hour, inclusive of benefits. Khan further emphasized their commitment to negotiation behind closed doors.

Union Set to Resume Negotiations with Major Las Vegas Resorts

In light of the ongoing negotiations, the union is scheduled to return to the bargaining table with MGM Resorts, Caesars, and Wynn Resorts in the coming week.

The potential strike in Las Vegas is part of a broader trend across the United States, where labor unions have been increasingly vocal about their demands. From Hollywood strikes to auto production line stoppages in 20 states, workers have been calling for higher wages, improved working conditions, and job security, particularly in the wake of the pandemic.

In Nevada, the Culinary Union holds considerable sway, representing approximately 60,000 hospitality workers. Notably, contracts covering 40,000 of these members in Las Vegas have recently expired, prompting this crucial vote among workers in renowned properties like Bellagio, Mandalay Bay, Wynn Las Vegas, MGM Grand, Caesars Palace, and others.

The last time the Culinary Union authorized a strike was in 2018, resulting in five-year contracts being reached shortly afterwards.