As Super Bowl week kicks off in Las Vegas, a tentative agreement has been reached between the Culinary Workers Union and four downtown hotel-casinos. However, employees at three other properties are still prepared to strike if necessary. This development comes after the union successfully negotiated contracts with the three largest employers on the Las Vegas Strip late last year, narrowly avoiding a historic strike.
The Culinary Workers Union, representing hospitality workers, announced on Saturday morning that it had reached a five-year tentative contract with Binion’s, Four Queens, Fremont, and Main Street, covering approximately 1,000 workers. However, the Golden Nugget, Downtown Grand, and Virgin Las Vegas near the Strip have yet to reach an agreement with the union.
Following the successful negotiations with the major employers on the Las Vegas Strip, the union shifted its focus to securing similar contract terms for workers at other hotel-casinos in the city. Since early January, the union has settled negotiations with most of these properties, including Circus Circus, Sahara Las Vegas, the Strat, Circa Resort, and the El Cortez.
However, negotiations hit a snag with some of the remaining casinos, prompting the union to issue a strike threat if tentative contracts were not in place by 5 a.m. Monday for downtown casino workers at properties that had not reached agreements.
The timing of this potential strike is significant due to the NFL’s 58th championship game, which is expected to bring around 330,000 people to Las Vegas this week. The city is preparing for an influx of visitors and hopes to avoid any disruptions that could impact the overall experience for tourists.
The Culinary Union is the largest in Nevada, boasting approximately 60,000 members statewide. It negotiates on behalf of its members for five-year contracts, ensuring fair working conditions and benefits for hospitality workers in Las Vegas.
While a tentative agreement has been reached with some downtown hotel-casinos, the situation remains uncertain for employees at the Golden Nugget, Downtown Grand, and Virgin Las Vegas. As Super Bowl week unfolds, all eyes will be on the negotiations and the potential impact on the city’s bustling hospitality industry.