Union Organized by Las Vegas Culinary Workers to Stage Demonstrations at Caesars and MGM Resorts Next Week
In a significant labor action that has shaken the heart of the hospitality industry, Culinary Local 226, a union representing over 40,000 restaurant and hotel workers in Las Vegas, has been engaged in a protracted dispute with major casino corporations. The conflict, which began in June 2023, centres around demands for fair wages, job security, and improved health care benefits, as the union seeks to ensure hospitality jobs remain family-sustaining amid record profits made by casino companies.
The strike, the longest in decades for Culinary Local 226 and allied unions, has disrupted operations at some of the city's most iconic casino resorts, including Aria, Bellagio, MGM Grand, Caesars Palace, and Wynn. The union's mobilisation sent a strong message to billionaire casino owners about worker demands and bargaining power.
The union's authorization vote in September 2023 saw overwhelming support, with 95% of members voting in favour. Preparations for the strike were extensive, with 45 strike stations established and strike ID cards distributed to members. The picket lines have been scheduled in front of Park MGM, Paris Las Vegas, The Linq, Harrah's, Flamingo, Horseshoe, Planet Hollywood, and New York-New York.
The union's objectives are multifaceted. They aim to secure higher wages that keep pace with casino profits, maintain and improve health care benefits, enhance job security—a longstanding union priority—and ensure hospitality jobs remain family-sustaining. The strike is also part of broader efforts to strengthen working conditions, union power, and bargaining leverage.
Contract negotiations have been intense, with some companies reaching tentative deals close to strike deadlines to avert prolonged work stoppages and operational interruptions. The union's proposals include substantial wage and benefit increases, augmented safety protocols, technology integration, and a reduction in the workload for guest room attendants.
The union has called for public solidarity and asked people not to patronize casino resorts during an active picket line. Negotiations are currently ongoing with MGM Resorts International, Caesars Entertainment, and Wynn Resorts. The union's primary focus is on MGM and Caesars properties due to the demand for revised no-strike clauses.
Culinary Local 226 has not set a specific strike deadline yet. However, the union plans to hold informational picket lines outside eight casino resorts in Las Vegas on Thursday, Oct. 12, at 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. The union's negotiations with the casino corporations are expected to continue, with the outcome likely to have far-reaching implications for the hospitality workers in Las Vegas.
In the midst of labor disruptions at Las Vegas' iconic casino-and-gambling resorts, many workers are engaged in strikes, with picket lines scheduled at Park MGM, Paris Las Vegas, The Linq, Harrah's, Flamingo, Horseshoe, Planet Hollywood, and New York-New York. The strikers, including members of Culinary Local 226, are betting on their ability to secure fair wages, improved job security, and better health care benefits from the casino owners.
