Culinary Union Leader Finally Scores Las Vegas Stadium Board Seat, Thanks to Governor Steve Sisolak

Posted on: January 7, 2020, 09:33h. 

Last updated on: January 7, 2020, 03:26h.

Devin O'Connor @CasinoorgDevinO Read More
Expertise: Asia Pacific Gaming, Commercial Gaming, Legislation, Politics.

Culinary Union leader Geoconda Arguello-Kline has received a seat on the Las Vegas Stadium Authority (LVSA) Board of Directors after all.

Culinary Union Las Vegas Stadium
The Culinary Union fought hard and succeeded in being represented by Geoconda Arguello-Kline on the Las Vegas Stadium Authority Board of Directors. (Image: Culinary Union)

On Monday, Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak (D) said Arguello-Kline, the secretary-treasurer of the union that represents 60,000 casino workers in Las Vegas and Reno, will replace attorney Scott Nielson, whose term expired last month. Sisolak reappointed LVSA Chairman Steve Hill.

Arguello-Kline’s bid for a seat on the 10-member board was rejected in December by the Clark County Commission, which opted to instead reappoint Laborers Union boss Tommy White and Caesars Entertainment board member Jan Jones-Blackhurst.

The governor said of his decisions, “I’m confident that Steve’s steady leadership and expertise, combined with Geo’s deep understanding of Nevada’s service industry and experience in workforce development, will create necessary continuity and dynamic representation on this board.”

The $2 billion future home of the Las Vegas Raiders is nearing completion, and the process is transitioning from the construction phase into the staffing and operational phase.

Combative Words

Arguello-Kline said in a statement that she is “pleased to accept the appointment,” and that she thanks the governor “for recognizing the value of having a hospitality expert on the Stadium Authority Board and for the governor’s commitment to diversity at all levels of government.”

She might need to win over at least one of her board colleagues after questioning his moral compass last month. That remark came following the Clark County Commission vote that left the stadium board with only one white female and one African American. Arguello-Kline issued a scathing statement.

If they wanted to affirm that board members can be racist, sexist, and threaten violence on Twitter (like Donald Trump does) and get away with it – they have succeeded,” she said in what was a presumed attack against White.

“I think that’s a pretty low shot for the Culinary Union to take at me,” White responded. “So, for her to make remarks like that towards me, derogatory remarks, that are irrelevant towards me…I mean, look at who’s being discriminatory.”

White’s Laborers Union has been sued in the past by black union members who alleged they were kicked off job sites and replaced with contractors of other races. A 2011 lawsuit contended that White called black workers “back-stabbers.”

Stadium Events

The Las Vegas Stadium will become the home of the NFL Raiders beginning with August preseason games. The domed facility located west of the Strip across I-15 will additionally serve as the home of the UNLV football team.

The venue is expected to greatly impact Las Vegas tourism and gaming. The LVSA owns the stadium.

Along with the Las Vegas Raiders and UNLV Rebels, stadium officials are pitching the NFL to gain a Super Bowl. Sites for the big game have been identified through 2024.

The league is considering forming a four or five-city host rotation, and Las Vegas is rumored to be a strong frontrunner for inclusion.