LAS VEGAS (AP) — The two largest Las Vegas casino companies have agreed with unions to let tens of thousands of employees keep family health benefits until March 1.

The powerful culinary and bartenders unions announced Monday the pact affects about 36,000 union workers at 22 Las Vegas Strip properties.

It came the same day casino giant MGM Resorts International laid off about 18,000 employees at its locations around the U.S.

The agreement followed negotiations about worker safety and job protections begun when casinos were closed in mid-March due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Most Las Vegas casinos have reopened since closure orders were lifted June 4.