As the Las Vegas Grand Prix approaches, around 700 hospitality workers at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas have gone on strike. As represented by the Culinary Union, employees from departments such as housekeeping and food services are demanding a five-year contract with wage increases and workplace protections. The previous contract expired in June, and negotiations have yet to yield an agreement.
News 3 Las Vegas reports that with the Las Vegas Grand Prix nearing, a busy time for the hospitality sector, the timing of the strike adds pressure. The most recent negotiations ended without an agreement. Culinary Secretary-Treasurer Ted Pappageorge criticized the company’s proposal, stating: "In negotiations, the company's proposal works out to an estimated $0.30 per year to wages over five years after deducting money for benefits, compared to non-tipped workers at The Strat, who received over $4.00 an hour in wage increases this year alone!"
The Culinary Union has declared this strike open-ended, unlike a previous 48-hour action earlier this year. This approach mirrors the indefinite strike at the Golden Gate in 2002. The union is also calling for solidarity, encouraging visitors and residents to support their cause by honoring the picket line, canceling reservations, and choosing union-backed accommodations.
Virgin Hotels expressed disappointment over the breakdown of recent labor talks, emphasizing the union's delayed response to their June proposal. "After we waited several months for the Union to respond to our June proposal and return to the table, their unconstructive approach and bad faith bargaining today was another disappointment," the company stated, as reported by FOX5 Vegas.
