As Las Vegas prepares for major events like Formula One, New Year's Eve and the Super Bowl, the Culinary Union was out on the Strip on Thursday to show how integral workers are to the success of these major events.
There are more than 40,000 union workers who staff casinos, hotels and restaurants along the Strip. They have been working without a contract since April and have voted to authorize a strike any time.
Culinary Union spokesperson Ted Pappageorge said union workers have been patient through the pandemic and now watching casino properties make record profits.
“Workers were respectful, they’ve been patient," he said. "Companies had their opportunity. Now we’re trying to show these companies, they’re going down the wrong path and they have time to change their course and do the right thing by their workers.”
Pappageorge said he hopes they can get back to the bargaining table by the end of the month with the three major casino companies: MGM Resorts, Caesars Entertainment and Wynn Resorts, which represents at least 18 Strip properties.
"The message is, these events don’t happen without the workers. These companies are dreaming if they think somehow shortchange workers and then be able to run these events. We’re just not going to stand for it," he said.
The Union hopes to get back to the bargaining table by the end of the month. For now, a strike date has not been set.
