Culinary Union workers at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas have ended their 69-day strike after securing a five-year contract agreement, concluding one of the longest labor disputes in the city in decades.
The Culinary Workers Union Local 226 and Bartenders Union Local 165 announced the deal on Wednesday, stating it will benefit about 700 employees at the off-Strip property. The unions, representing approximately 60,000 workers across Las Vegas and Reno, emphasized the importance of maintaining a “union standard” that supports workers’ families and fosters community.
While the full details of the agreement have not been disclosed, union representatives indicated that it includes substantial pay raises, potentially aligning with the 32% wage increase secured by other union members across the city.
“We’re doing the same amount of work for less pay… the lowest-paid union casino as it stands right now,” said Lee McNamara, a cook who has worked at Virgin Hotels for over 25 years.
Union Secretary-Treasurer Ted Pappageorge reiterated the resolve of the workforce throughout negotiations. “Workers at Virgin Hotels would not accept a second-class contract,” he said.
The strike drew widespread attention as union members maintained 24/7 picket lines near the hotel, which is within walking distance of the Las Vegas Strip. At one point, workers blocked traffic to highlight their demands, leading to several arrests.
The dispute garnered support from Nevada politicians, including U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto and Representatives Dina Titus and Steven Horsford, who joined the picket lines. A comedian canceled a show in solidarity, and the NFL Players Association pledged to boycott the casino while the strike continued.
Virgin Hotels faced criticism from the union for hiring temporary workers to cross picket lines during the strike. Despite the challenges, employees remained steadfast. “I’m ready to go for as long as I need to, and I’m pretty sure that’s how everyone else is feeling too,” said Michael Renick, a bartender at the hotel.
The hotel’s previous contract with the union expired in June 2023. The agreement, approved unanimously by union members, ends a protracted and contentious negotiation process that had placed the financially troubled property in the public spotlight.
The resolution comes as Virgin Hotels Las Vegas undergoes a management transition. The Nevada Gaming Commission recently approved new operators to take over casino operations from Mohegan, the Connecticut-based tribal company that had run the property since its 2021 reopening. The transition is expected to be completed by March 2025.
In a joint statement, the Culinary and Bartenders Unions and Virgin Hotels expressed optimism for the future: “Parties are committed to the resolution of our dispute and to maintaining a union standard at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas that provides for its team members’ families and fosters a better community for all.”
Original article: https://www.yogonet.com/international/news/2025/01/23/92788-culinary-workers-union-ends-69day-strike-at-virgin-hotels-las-vegas
