A group of Las Vegas hospitality workers recently picketed on the Strip while chanting “no contract, no peace,” according to a local Las Vegas Review-Journal report.
Hundreds of workers from Culinary Local 226 and Bartenders Local 165 gathered outside the Paris Las Vegas to urge the city’s hotel-casino companies, including Caesars Entertainment and MGM Resorts International, to negotiate a new contract that gives workers improved pay.
Union workers have raised concerns because of inflation and have demanded higher wages due to the rising cost of living.
The group held two picketing sessions this week.
During recent weeks, more than 53,000 union hospitality workers have banded together for improved wages. Both the Bartenders union and the Culinary Workers union are asking for stronger protections against new technology that could potentially threaten jobs and for higher pay.
Workers are also demanding improved safety conditions on the job site and for “a reduction in steep housekeeping quotas.”
Union workers have engaged in ongoing talks with MGM and Caesars, asking that the Las Vegas operators implement a new five-year contract at more than 40 locations where deals have expired or are under extension.
In addition to its negotiations with Caesars and MGM, Las Vegas hospitality unions are currently talking with Wynn Resorts and are involved in all-day negotiations.
Nearly 95% of union members voted in favor of a citywide strike last month. Should the unions call for the strike, it could potentially affect at least 18 Las Vegas locations.
As of now, workers are not officially on strike. However, Culinary Union Secretary-Treasurer Ted Pappageorge said a strike could happen “at any time.”
