Las Vegas Strip Workers Threaten Strike Against Caesars, MGM and Wynn Casinos

Roughly 35,000 hospitality workers in Las Vegas could go on strike against 18 casino resorts on the Strip if they do not have a new five-year labor contract by Nov. 10.

The Culinary and Bartenders Unions have been negotiating with MGM Resorts International, Caesars Entertainment Corporation and Wynn Resorts for seven months over a new labor contract. Workers at those companies' resorts have been working under expired union contracts since Sept. 15 and voted overwhelmingly in favor of authorizing a strike on Sept. 26.

The workers want better pay, protection from technological advancements that could replace their jobs, less demanding housekeeping quotas and provisions to make their workplace safer.

“Their current proposal on the table is historic, but it’s not enough and workers deserve to have record contracts — especially after these giant corporations are enjoying their record profits,” Ted Pappageorge, secretary-treasurer for the culinary union, said.

The culinary union is representing another 18,000 hospitality workers in active negotiations with other casino and hotel employers on the Strip. Thousands of casino workers in Detroit have been on strike since Oct. 17, after three casinos rejected their requests.

The last major Culinary strike against the resort industry was in 1984, when 17,000 workers struck 32 resorts on the Strip for 67 days; six casinos later cut ties with the union.