Majority of Workers at the Venetian Agree with Union Contract

After operating for more than two decades without a union contract, the Venetian/Palazzo became the latest Las Vegas Strip resort to sign a union contract that protects the rights of its employees and brings other benefits.

On Tuesday, the Culinary Workers Union Local 226 announced that its contract with the Venetian/Palazzo received approval by 99% of the venue’s workers. The vote effectively supported the ratification of the contract.

The latest voting and approval of Venetian’s workers follows an agreement on terms between the Culinary Union and the hotel casino resort dating to August 20. At the time, the two agreed on the first-ever union contract for the Venetian and formally passed the proposal for approval of the workers.

The first-time union contract affects more than 4,000 workers at the Venetian. It covers positions in departments such as food and beverage, bar, lounge, housekeeping, as well as other roles that are vital for the casino resort’s day-to-day operations.

Undoubtedly, the latest approval of the workers marks a milestone moment for the operator as it effectively unionizes the Las Vegas Strip resort after it operated 25 years without a union contract.

In a statement, the Culinary Union explained: “Culinary Union is pleased to announce Venetian/Palazzo workers have successfully voted by 99% to ratify their new union contract tonight!” Moreover, the workers’ union explained that with the addition of the Venetian, 100% of the Las Vegas Strip is now unionized. Finally, the Culinary Union congratulated the venue’s employees on their new contract.

BREAKING: Culinary Union is pleased to announce Venetian/Palazzo workers have successfully voted by 99% to ratify their new union contract tonight!

Culinary Union celebrates Las Vegas Strip being 100% UNION & congratulates 4,000+ workers who now have a strong union contract! pic.twitter.com/YvtRnJyOIw

— Culinary Union (@Culinary226) August 28, 2024

A Landmark Union Contract

Ted Pappageorge, the Culinary Union’s secretary-treasurer, spoke about the importance of the union contract for the workers at the Venetian earlier this month. He acknowledged the landmark decision of the property to unionize after operating for 25 years without a contract with a union.

Moreover, Pappageorge explained: “This contract not only guarantees job security and fair wages, but it also upholds the standards that the Culinary Union has fought to establish in Las Vegas. We’ve always viewed time differently – this isn’t just about the here and now, it’s about building a legacy of fairness and dignity for working families in Las Vegas.”

“The workers at The Venetian Resort have now made history by unionizing 25-years after the property opened its doors.“

Ted Pappageorge, secretary-treasurer for the Culinary Union

The contract with the Venetian comes after unionized workers, employed by the Big Three, a group that includes Caesars, MGM Resorts and Wynn Resorts, agreed with new five-year contracts. The announcement in November affected some 40,000 workers in the sector, who will benefit from increased wages, improved job security and better working conditions, among other benefits.