Las Vegas casino unions are gearing up for a battle with Donald Trump once again, as the former president’s name has been linked to potential new casino ventures in Sin City.
The Culinary Workers Union Local 226 and the Bartenders Union Local 165, two powerful labor groups that represent tens of thousands of workers in Las Vegas’ hospitality industry, have vowed to fight against any new Trump-branded properties in the city.
“We will not stand by and allow Donald Trump to bring his anti-worker, anti-union agenda to Las Vegas once again,” said Geoconda Argüello-Kline, Secretary-Treasurer of the Culinary Union. “We have fought against him before and we will do so again, if necessary.”
Trump’s history with Las Vegas goes back several decades, when he famously owned the Trump Plaza hotel and casino on the Las Vegas Strip. The property eventually went bankrupt and was purchased by billionaire investor Carl Icahn, who later rebranded it as the Plaza Hotel and Casino.
Since leaving office in January, there have been rumors that Trump is looking to re-enter the casino business in Las Vegas. In March, the Wall Street Journal reported that the former president’s company had applied for a trademark for the name “Trump Casino” in the city.
In response, the casino unions have begun mobilizing their members and making plans for potential protests and picket lines outside any Trump-branded properties that may be developed in Las Vegas.
“Donald Trump has a long history of mistreating his workers and trying to prevent them from organizing,” said Argüello-Kline. “We will not allow him to bring that kind of behavior to our city.”
The Culinary Union and the Bartenders Union have a long history of successful labor negotiations in Las Vegas, having secured higher wages, better benefits, and improved working conditions for their members through collective bargaining agreements with the city’s major casino operators.
“We are prepared to do whatever it takes to protect our members and their families from the harmful policies and practices of Donald Trump,” said Argüello-Kline. “We will not back down, and we will not be intimidated by his wealth or his power.”
As of now, it is unclear if Trump will actually move forward with any casino projects in Las Vegas. However, if he does, he can expect a fierce fight from the city’s powerful casino unions.