Thousands picket in Las Vegas as negotiations continue between Culinary Union, resorts
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Thousands of Culinary Union workers picketed on the Las Vegas Strip Thursday as contract negotiations continue with some of the entertainment capital of the world’s largest resorts.
Union members say they are concerned about receiving fewer hours, resulting in less pay. Jose Mesa Torres, a union member, told reporters he believes resort operators “need to share” their profits.
“We built this city, and we deserve to thrive in this city,” Bethany Khan, a spokesperson for the Culinary Union, said. “A good contract would enable that.”
53,000 workers’ contracts with MGM, Caesars, and Wynn are expired.
Their demands include better pay, benefits, and job security.
“We need a new package for benefits and more money for our families, and keep our job safe,” Aria employee Roxana Priego told 8 News Now.
“Our families are suffering we are overloaded. But yet they don’t want to share the profit that we need for us and for our families and for our future,” Silvia Salazar a hotel room attendant at an MGM resort expressed.
In September, the Culinary Union voted to strike if a deal can’t be reached. In a statement shortly after the vote, MGM Resorts International said it has a decades-long history of successfully bargaining with the union and believed that “both parties are committed to negotiating a contract that is good for everyone.”
More recently, MGM, Wynn Resorts, and Caesars Entertainment gathered with the Culinary Union for negotiations. An agreement was not reached.
The union said it anticipates more negotiations in the next few weeks.
Picketers were not at Wynn properties on Thursday night.
Wynn official issued a statement to 8 News Now:
“Wynn Las Vegas has historically had a positive and cordial working relationship with labor unions and has always reached satisfactory agreements with each. Our employees are the heart and soul of Wynn, and we will continue to work with Local 226 and Local 165 to reach an agreement that provides our employees with competitive wages and benefits, in a work environment that matches our high standards.“
Las Vegas is expected to welcome hundreds of thousands of guests as the city hosts the Formula One Las Vegas Grand Prix and Super Bowl LVIII over the next several months.
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