Culinary Union Plans Two-Day Strike at Virgin Las Vegas: Updated

Posted on: May 9, 2024, 02:55h. 

Last updated on: May 9, 2024, 10:36h.

Ed Silverstein @casinoorgedsilv Read More
Expertise: Legal, Tribal Gaming.

UPDATE: In a statement released Thursday to Casino.org, the Virgin Las Vegas said the Culinary Union isn’t negotiating in good faith. The company has filed an unfair labor practice charge against the union and has asked Culinary Union officials to meet as soon as possible.

“If a strike begins on Friday, we intend to take all lawful steps necessary to continue operating and providing exceptional guest service,” the statement said.

Hundreds of hospitality workers are scheduled to walk off the job for 48 hours starting on Friday at the Virgin Las Vegas.

Virgin Las Vegas
Virgin Las Vegas, pictured above. Hospitality workers plan to walk off the job there. (Image: Virgin Las Vegas)

The temporary strike comes as the Culinary Union is attempting to reach a five-year contract with the property for some 700 workers.

Picket Line

The walkout is to last between 5 a.m. on Friday, May 10, and 5 a.m. on Sunday, May 12. A picket line will be staffed in front of the property.

It’s been nearly one year since the contract at Virgin Las Vegas expired on June 1, 2023 and workers are still working without a contract, that’s why the Culinary Union has called for a 48-hour strike at the Virgin Las Vegas and urge the community and customers to not cross the strike line,” Ted Pappageorge, secretary-treasurer at the Culinary Union, said in a statement.

“Workers at Virgin Las Vegas deserve fair wage increases and they are organized and ready to strike for it.”

The union is targeting not just the hotel, but also restaurants and bars at the property, including Casa Calavera, Funny Library Coffee Shop, Juice Bar, The Bar at Commons Club, The Kitchen at Commons Club, and The Shag Room.

Representatives of the Culinary Workers Union Local 226 and the Bartenders Union Local 165 are expected to meet management representatives at Virgin Las Vegas during a negotiation session on Tuesday, May 14, after the scheduled strike concludes.

The union is seeking increases in salary and healthcare, a reduced workload, job security, and improved rights, according to a union statement.

It’s a Fight

“I’m ready to strike because I’m fighting for me, my family, and my co-workers,” Isabel Gonzalez, a guest room attendant at the property, added in the statement.

The union represents bartenders, bellmen, cocktail and food servers, cooks, guest room attendants, kitchen workers, and porters.

Though the Culinary Union threatened a strike in recent months, negotiations led to a contract at independent properties and those owned by large companies. In November, Culinary Union members successfully negotiated with Wynn Resorts, Caesars Entertainment, and MGM Resorts International, averting the threatened strike.

Workers were given a 10% wage increase in the first year of the agreement. They also got 32% in raises over the life of the deal. There were other gains for union members, too.

The last Las Vegas hospitality workers’ strike took place in 2002. That’s when employees walked off the job for 10 days at the Golden Gate in Downtown Las Vegas.