Las Vegas Workers Sign Deal with Caesars while MGM and Wynn Face Strikes

In a victory for Las Vegas hospitality workers, the Culinary Workers Union announced a groundbreaking tentative deal with Caesars Entertainment, potentially averting a city-wide strike. 

Historic Caesars Deal Ushers in New Era of Workers’ Rights in Las Vegas

The deal, described as “historic” by union leaders, includes substantial wage increases in the first year, along with enhanced healthcare and pension benefits. One of the most noteworthy aspects of the agreement is the reduction in workload for housekeepers, marking the first such change in three decades. Additionally, the union successfully negotiated language enabling them to support non-union workers on the Las Vegas Strip, a move seen as a crucial win for workers’ rights.

The news of the Caesars deal has sent ripples of hope through the city, with many workers celebrating the breakthrough. However, the threat of a strike still looms large as negotiations with MGM Resorts International and Wynn Resorts remain unresolved. If agreements are not reached by the looming deadline on November 10, nine casino resorts employing 25,000 workers could be affected, posing a significant challenge to the city’s bustling tourism industry.

MGM has expressed optimism about reaching an agreement and has promised the largest pay increase in its history of contracts with the unions. However, the financial implications of these agreements are substantial, with every 1% increase in wages translating to millions in additional labor costs for the casino operators.

Las Vegas Workers Set Example Amidst National Labor Movement

The Culinary and Bartender unions have been engaged in talks with the casinos for seven months, with 95% of their members voting to authorize a city-wide strike in September. The negotiations have been emblematic of the larger trend in the United States, where unions are pressing employers for better pay and benefits amid a shortage of workers.

As Las Vegas prepares for high-profile events like the Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix, the outcome of these negotiations will not only impact the livelihoods of thousands of workers but also the city’s bustling tourism sector. The resilience and determination of the workers have become a testament to the collective strength of the labor movement. 

Tiffany Thomas, a guest room attendant at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino and a member of the Culinary Union for 17 years, expressed her determination, saying: “I am willing to go on strike because I have a 10-year-old daughter who comes to negotiations with me and she is going to inherit all of this. I refuse to sit back and watch what we’ve built crumble. I want my daughter to look at me and know I fought for a better future.”