The Culinary Workers Union has successfully ended the longest strike in decades by Las Vegas hotel workers with a new contract secured for about 700 employees at Virgin Hotels near the Las Vegas Strip. The strike, which lasted 69 days and began on November 15, came to a close as the union and the casino reached a five-year deal, marking a resolution to their disagreements. The new contract, approved unanimously by the union's rank-and-file, signifies a significant milestone in the labor negotiations that had been a subject of public attention due to disputes over pay.
During the strike, the union emphasized the importance of fair wages, with workers at Virgin Hotels advocating for pay raises to align with industry standards. The new contract is expected to include substantial wage increases, similar to those received by other union members in the region over the past year. The union had pushed for a historic 32% wage hike over five years, a demand that had initially faced resistance from the casino citing economic concerns.
Despite not being situated on the Strip, the strike at Virgin Hotels garnered widespread visibility, with picket lines maintained around the clock outside the hotel-casino. The union's efforts to draw attention to labor issues led to public demonstrations, including a temporary traffic blockage. Throughout the strike, the union criticized the casino for hiring temporary workers who crossed the picket line, prompting support from various quarters including a comedian who canceled a show in solidarity and the NFL Players Association pledging to boycott the casino.
Employees participating in the strike, including housekeepers, porters, bellhops, and servers, expressed their determination to continue until a favorable resolution was reached. The strike, which had impacted operations at the casino, underscored the workers' commitment to securing fair treatment and wages. The Culinary Workers Union, the largest labor union in Nevada with approximately 60,000 members statewide, has a history of advocating for workers' rights and fair labor practices.
