The lead negotiator for Culinary Workers Union Local 226, Ted Pappageorge, has reported “some movement” in the contract talks between the union and Las Vegas Strip resorts. These negotiations encompass a range of issues, including wages, health care, job safety, job training, technology, and more.
However, Pappageorge said that on certain key matters such as workload reduction and the reinstatement of daily room cleaning, the resorts have not made adequate progress, Las Vegas Sun reported.
“I think we’ve been able to make some movement, but if we were having to make the decision today, it wouldn’t be enough. And I think these workers would authorize a strike,” Pappageorge, secretary-treasurer and chief negotiator for Culinary, was quoted as saying in the report.
This standoff suggests that a strike deadline may be imminent for the thousands of members belonging to Culinary and the Bartenders unions who are employed by three prominent resort companies — MGM Resorts International, Caesars Entertainment, and Wynn Encore Resort — on the Las Vegas Strip.
Culinary engaged in separate meetings with MGM Resorts International on October 23, Caesars Entertainment on Friday, and Wynn Resorts on Monday. These discussions have been ongoing since April, with the aim of establishing a new five-year contract for approximately 40,000 unionized hospitality workers. While some headway has been made, Pappageorge insisted that it falls short of what is required.
“When these companies are making incredible profits — record profits — workers deserve record contracts,” Pappageorge said in a conference call with reporters Monday. “Cost of rent, the cost of groceries and gas, electricity — all are increasing. These companies must be prepared to share the wealth.”
Culinary Workers Union Local 226 is one of the largest and most prominent unions in the country. Pappageorge noted that Culinary and Bartenders union members, who recently voted in favor of strike authorization, are not eager to strike but are prepared to do so if necessary.
The unions have already begun preparing picket stations at over a dozen properties, including signs, storage facilities, and portable restrooms. Pappageorge indicated that this could potentially lead to the “largest strike in history here in Las Vegas.”
“We are preparing,” Pappageorge said, as per the report. “And I would say that we’re also in good spirits. I think the workers are strong.”
Approximately 75 members of the Culinary Local 226 union were arrested last week for obstructing traffic at the heart of the Las Vegas Strip, intensifying the public pressure on resort employers. During a pre-strike rally, hundreds of participants engaged in what was described as “mass action civil disobedience.”
Earlier, thousands of industry workers took to the Las Vegas Strip to picket in front of eight different casinos. Members of the Culinary Workers Union Local 226, clad in red T-shirts took to Las Vegas Boulevard, and hoisted signs, chanting their demands for contracts.
While it is often assumed that the mere threat of a strike can push resort companies to reach a contract agreement, Pappageorge cited the example of casino workers in Detroit who recently went on strike with similar concerns, yet they are still without a contract.
Following the most recent talks, the union’s negotiating committee will convene to determine the next steps, including the potential establishment of a strike deadline. In the meantime, Pappageorge has stated that the resort companies have the opportunity to respond to their workers, leaving open the possibility that one of these companies may choose to address the union’s concerns.
As per Vegas Eater, the Culinary Union represents 60,000 workers across Nevada, out of which 53,000 members are based in Las Vegas and are in active negotiations with casino and hotel employers for a new five-year contract. As of September 15th, roughly 40,000 workers are working under an expired contract.
Original article: https://www.yogonet.com/international/noticias/2023/10/31/69433-contract-negotiations-at-las-vegas-strip-resorts-show-progress-but-strike-looms
