Trump Faces Union Resistance in Nevada from the Culinary Workers Union

Culinary Union to Play Pivotal Role in Nevada's Presidential Elections

The Culinary Union, a political force in Nevada, is set to significantly impact the upcoming US presidential elections. With over 60,000 members primarily working in the Las Vegas Strip casino and hospitality industry, the union's extensive membership and coverage of major resort properties give it considerable influence on voter turnout and political outcomes.

Full union contracts now cover 100% of the major resort properties on the Strip, making the union's political endorsement and canvassing efforts crucial in shaping election results. The union's ability to mobilize a large base of workers, many of whom are immigrants and politically engaged, means it can swing key battleground races by encouraging member participation and supporting candidates aligned with labor interests.

Despite not endorsing in the 2024 Democratic presidential race, the union continues to support policies and candidates aligned with its goals during state and local elections. The union is expected to use its organized canvassers to influence the 2025-2026 cycle turnout in Nevada, and will likely face strong opposition against Donald Trump.

In 2016 and 2020, the union supported Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden respectively, and union members participated in campaigns between three and six months during election years, working up to 10 hours a day, even in 110-degree weather. By election day, 500 union members will be mobilized to go door to door, registering voters and taking them to the polls.

The union's efforts are expected to have a significant impact on voter turnout, particularly among hospitality workers and their families. This could potentially impact the presidential election landscape in this battleground state.

The union has also been involved in efforts such as maintaining worker protections related to COVID-19 and hospitality industry standards, further connecting its political activities to broader community concerns.

Recent deals with MGM Resorts, Wynn Resorts, and Caesars Entertainment ensured better working conditions and pay for hospitality workers from these major Las Vegas hotel casino operators. The union has also called for a boycott of the Rampart Casino in Summerlin, Nevada, and the Lalji family-owned Sheraton Vancouver Airport Hotel, in response to ongoing strikes at these locations.

Ted Pappageorge, the Culinary Union's secretary-treasurer, has acknowledged the importance of the turnout in the state, reaffirming the Union's support for Joe Biden, calling him the "best president for working class people and families and unions in my lifetime." The efforts described by the secretary-treasurer involve workers talking to workers, a strategy that has proven effective in the past.

In summary, the Culinary Union's role as a political mobilizer and influencer is critical in Nevada, particularly because of its large membership in a key industry and its proven capacity to mobilize voters. This is likely to increase voter turnout in the 2025 elections, potentially impacting the presidential election landscape in this battleground state.

The influence of the Culinary Union in Nevada's presidential elections extends beyond the Strip's casino and hospitality industry, impacting war-and-conflicts, policy-and-legislation, and politics as well.
As the casino-and-gambling sector continues to evolve with gambling-trends, the union's stance on issues like responsible-gambling becomes increasingly relevant.
Poker, one of the popular casino-games, has been a subject of interest for the union, as they advocate for fair play and safe environments in Vegas-myths-infused venues like Las Vegas.
The union's efforts to maintain worker protections go beyond the hospitality industry, touching upon crime-and-justice, as they call for further regulations on casino-personalities linked to accused parties.
General-news reports often highlight the union's role in the Vegas-history, with their continuous advocacy for hotel workers' rights and welfare, even in the face of accidents and controversies.
To maintain its reputation as an ethical force in Nevada, the union has pledged to remain vigilant about issues such as migration, ensuring fair treatment for its members, many of whom are immigrants.
In the midst of these concerns, the union continues to uphold its tradition of workers-supporting-workers, a strategy that has shown success in mobilizing voters for presidential candidates.
As the 2025 elections approach, the union will leverage its influence in the casino-industry, aiming to shape voter behavior and election outcomes on a national scale.