In a concerted show of solidarity, 23 members of the Culinary Union were arrested in Las Vegas during a non-violent demonstration outside the Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, as reported by News 3 LV. The union, which represents 700 hospitality workers at the property, continues to push for a new five-year contract following the expiration of their previous contract on June 1, 2023.
The escalating tension comes after a series of failed negotiations, with Virgin Hotels Las Vegas allegedly sticking to its proposal which included "$0 in raises for the first 3 years" of the contract, according to Ted Pappageorge, Secretary-Treasurer of the Culinary Union, in a statement obtained by KTNV. Picketing workers like Pamela Holmes, a lead usher with 15 years of union membership, have expressed dissatisfaction with the hotel's reluctance to agree to wage increases, "I picketed outside Virgin Las Vegas because I feel like they aren’t serious about making things right with us," Holmes told News 3 LV.
The union has made clear their demands for fair wages and improved workplace protections, along with expanded recall rights, amid the rising cost of living. This protest follows a 48-hour strike over a weekend in May, which was the Culinary Union's first organized strike in 22 years. Despite the confrontations, Virgin Hotels has stated that its "operations will be unaffected by the picket," as mentioned on News 3 LV, and that they remain committed to providing exceptional service.
The events leading up to the recent pickets, including a lack of communication between Virgin Hotels Las Vegas and the Culinary Union since their last negotiating session in July, have added to the frustrations. "It is disappointing to us and all of our stakeholders that the Union is spending time trying to gain leverage through the media rather than working cooperatively and constructively to bring these negotiations to a mutually satisfactory conclusion," Virgin Hotels said in a statement, per News 3 LV. Isabel Gonzalez, a guest room attendant and union member for 14 years, has called on the hotel to align its standards with those of other venues on the Las Vegas Strip which have provided their workers with yearly wage increases, "Why won’t the company do what’s right for us?" Gonzalez mused to News 3 LV.
