Las Vegas hospitality workers, represented by the Culinary Workers Union, have voted to authorize a strike, a rare occurrence in over 30 years. They seek improved pay, benefits, and working conditions while negotiating with major casino employers like MGM Resorts International, Caesars Entertainment, and Wynn Resorts on the Las Vegas Strip.
This mirrors a national trend of workers demanding better wages and job security, especially after the pandemic. The Culinary Union, with around 60,000 members, represents various roles, including housekeepers, servers, cooks, and bartenders, all emphasizing the importance of fair compensation.
Currently, members receive health insurance and an hourly wage of approximately $26, including benefits. While specific pay raise figures remain undisclosed, the union aims for significant wage increases, potentially the largest in its history.
This strike possibility evokes memories of the 1991 Frontier hotel and casino strike, one of the longest in U.S. history, ultimately leading to strikers returning to their jobs with back pay and benefits.
Negotiations continue, and while the strike authorization is a substantial move, it doesn’t guarantee a strike. Both the union and casino employers have previously reached agreements without resorting to strikes. The outcome of these negotiations holds significant implications for Las Vegas’s economy.
