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Las Vegas hospitality workers join union in strike authorization.

The Culinary Workers Union (CWU), a ⁤labor organization representing tens of thousands of Las Vegas hospitality workers,⁢ is the latest major ⁢union ‍to ⁤authorize strike action. This is the group’s first strike in ⁢three decades.

CWU members voted 95 percent at‌ two ‌sessions at the Thomas ‌and Mack Center on campus at ​the University of⁢ Nevada-Las Vegas on⁢ Sept. 26 to ‍approve⁢ a‌ citywide strike as part of efforts to secure a new five-year contract.

The union did not establish‌ a deadline ⁤for‌ a walkout‍ as leaders continue ‌to⁤ negotiate ‌with hotels and casinos for higher pay, better benefits, and improved working‍ conditions.

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“Today, Culinary and Bartenders Union members have sent the strongest message possible ⁣to the casino industry‍ to⁣ settle‌ a fair contract ⁣as soon as possible. We have negotiations ⁢scheduled next week with⁣ MGM Resorts, Caesars Entertainment, and Wynn/Encore Resorts, and it’s up the three largest employers in Las Vegas to ⁢step up⁢ and do the right thing,” said⁢ Ted Pappageorge,⁢ secretary-treasurer for the Culinary Union, in a statement. “If these gaming companies don’t come to an agreement, ‌the workers have spoken and ⁤we ​will be ready to do whatever‌ it takes—up to ⁢and including a strike.​ Workers brought every single one of these companies through the pandemic and into a great recovery, and workers ‍deserve ⁣a fair ⁢share. Companies are doing extremely well and we⁤ are demanding that workers‌ aren’t left‍ behind.”

Eighty-eight ​percent of CWU’s roughly‌ 60,000 members are situated in Las Vegas, totaling about 53,000 employees.

Maria Sanchez, a guest room⁢ attendant at the Bellagio and a Culinary Union member for three years, said during the proceedings that⁤ she feels she is “living to work” and does not think one job is‍ enough to support her family and⁤ their future.

Labor Strife Nationwide

Over the last 12 months, labor ⁤unions⁤ across the country and in multiple sectors have organized and gone on ⁣strike for higher⁤ pay and‌ better compensation⁣ packages. According to ⁤recent research from Cornell University, more than 320,000 ⁢workers have participated in labor ‍actions this year.

The Writers Guild of America (WGA) and the Hollywood studios recently reached a tentative⁣ deal to‌ end the ​writers’ 146-day⁣ strike.

The United Auto Workers (UAW) and⁤ the Big‍ Three automakers—Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis—are enduring tough contract⁣ negotiations. The UAW is demanding a 40 percent⁤ pay hike, a 32-hour work week, and ‍the ​restoration of traditional pension plans, but the ⁤Detroit Three have countered ‌with more than 20 percent pay raises over four years.

President Joe Biden became the first modern present to visit a picket line‌ on Sept. 26 ​and agreed with auto workers in Michigan that they deserve a 40 percent pay raise.

Another sizable labor⁢ union could soon⁢ hit the picket lines.

About 1,000 union workers and​ meatpackers in Austin, Texas, have turned down a four-year contract offer from Hormel Foods Corp., a move that could potentially result in strike ​action.

Last⁣ week, the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 663 announced that workers voted against the company’s‍ contract offer. While⁣ the maker of Spam says both sides have agreed to a contract extension until Oct. 8, the union is requesting a return to⁢ the negotiating table.

“Hormel’s record profits are just wages not shared fairly with the rest of us,” said the‍ UFCW bargaining committee⁤ in a Sept. 15 statement. “The reality is that we keep Hormel ‌running. ‌We demand‍ that Hormel does better and comes to the table for a fair agreement‌ quickly.”

Union workers⁢ are demanding $6.25 wage increases by September 2025. Hormel has presented a $2.15 wage over four years.

How has the COVID-19 pandemic⁤ impacted the‍ challenges faced by workers in the hospitality industry in Las Vegas?

Heir⁢ expenses. She expressed ⁤her frustration⁤ with the lack of progress in negotiations and the need⁣ for fair wages and⁢ better working conditions.

This strike authorization comes as part of a larger wave of labor ⁢activism in the United States. Workers across various industries have been organizing and demanding better treatment, ⁢fair compensation,⁢ and improved working conditions.

The ⁢COVID-19 pandemic has magnified the ‌issues faced⁢ by workers in ⁢the ‍hospitality industry. Many have been on⁤ the frontlines, risking their health and ​safety to keep the industry ⁣afloat during challenging times. Now, as the industry begins to ⁣recover, these workers are demanding their fair share of the success they helped create.

The hospitality industry in Las Vegas, known ​for its⁢ world-class⁣ casinos, hotels, and entertainment, relies heavily on ‍its workforce to attract ⁤visitors and generate revenue.⁤ Without the hard ‍work and dedication of the Culinary Workers ⁤Union members, ​the industry would not‍ be what ⁤it is today.

With the ​authorization for a ‌citywide strike, the CWU aims to‍ exert pressure ⁤on major casino and hotel operators and push for⁣ a fair ‍contract that addresses the needs of⁢ its members. This strike‍ could ⁤have substantial consequences for Las Vegas, as it would disrupt the normal ⁤functioning⁢ of the city and impact ⁣the ⁤tourism industry.

The union’s​ demands for higher pay, better ⁣benefits, and improved working ​conditions are⁣ not unreasonable.‍ As⁢ the ‌workers themselves have pointed out, the companies they work for have thrived⁢ despite the challenges of the ‌pandemic. It is only ​fair that the⁤ workers who ​made this success possible are rewarded and provided with the support they deserve.

It is⁣ now up‍ to the hotels and casinos to‌ respond⁢ to the union’s demands and negotiate in‌ good faith. The workers‌ have ​made their voices ​heard, and their determination to ​fight for their rights ‌should not be ​underestimated. The stakes are high for both the workers and the industry, and⁢ a fair resolution is in everyone’s⁣ best interest.

As ‌the negotiations continue, it is ⁢crucial that all ⁤parties involved prioritize the well-being ⁢and livelihoods of the workers. A fair ⁢contract that addresses their concerns and⁤ provides them with the necessary support is not ⁤just a legal obligation but a ‍moral imperative.

The Culinary Workers Union’s decision to authorize a strike ⁢sends ⁢a strong message to the casino⁤ industry and ‍serves ‍as a rallying⁢ cry for workers across ‌the country. This strike is not just ‌about ‌the CWU members;‍ it ‌is about the broader ‌fight for workers’ rights and ​the‍ recognition of their contributions.

As the​ hospitality industry recovers and moves forward, it is ⁤crucial that it does ‍so on‍ the ⁤foundation⁣ of‍ fair treatment and respect for⁤ its workforce. A successful resolution to ​the current negotiations will⁢ not only ⁢benefit ⁢the CWU members ‍but will also​ set an important precedent for⁤ the treatment‌ of workers ‍in similar industries across the nation.

The Culinary ‌Workers⁤ Union’s first strike ⁣in three ⁢decades ‌is a ‌crucial moment in ⁣the fight for workers’ rights. It is a ‌reminder that workers are the backbone of⁣ any industry​ and should not be taken for granted. Their voices deserve to be heard,‍ and‌ their demands for‍ fair treatment⁤ and compensation deserve to be met.

As ‌the negotiations unfold, it⁤ is the responsibility ‌of both the industry ​and the government to‍ ensure‍ that the workers’ rights are⁤ protected and ‌that a fair resolution is‌ reached. The success of‌ the‌ hospitality industry and the well-being of its workers go hand in hand.

Now is the time for‌ the casino industry in Las Vegas to step up and do the right ‍thing. It is in⁤ their best interest to reach a fair agreement with the Culinary Workers Union and​ address the legitimate concerns of their ‌employees. Only by working together ​can ⁢we ⁣build a stronger,⁤ more equitable future for all.



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