LAS VEGAS- The Culinary Workers Union Local 226 has announced that its members will be going on strike at the Virgin Las Vegas Casino, following failed negotiations with the resort’s management.
The union, which represents more than 50,000 workers in the hospitality industry in Las Vegas, cited concerns over wages, benefits, and working conditions as reasons for the strike. In a statement released to the press, the union’s secretary-treasurer Geoconda Argüello-Kline said, “Our members deserve fair wages, job security, and a safe work environment. We will not back down until these demands are met.”
The Virgin Las Vegas Casino, formerly known as the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, was acquired by billionaire Richard Branson’s Virgin Group in 2018. Since the rebranding, the hotel has undergone a $200 million renovation and reimagining, with the promise of bringing a new level of luxury and entertainment to the Las Vegas Strip.
However, the union has expressed concerns that the changes at the resort have come at the expense of its workers. They claim that many employees have been forced to work longer hours, with no increase in pay, and that the company has been cutting corners on safety measures.
The union has also criticized the resort for not providing adequate healthcare benefits to its employees, many of whom rely on the union’s health insurance plans for their families.
In response to the strike announcement, a spokesperson for the Virgin Las Vegas Casino stated, “We are disappointed that the Culinary Union has chosen to take this action. We value our employees and are committed to providing fair wages and benefits. We are confident that we can reach a resolution that is satisfactory to all parties.”
The strike is set to begin at 6 a.m. on Friday, and union members are prepared to picket around the clock until their demands are met. The Culinary Workers Union Local 226 has a history of successful strikes in Las Vegas, having previously staged walkouts at several major resorts in the city.
The announcement of the strike at the Virgin Las Vegas Casino has sent shockwaves through the city’s hospitality industry, as it comes at a time when tourism in Las Vegas is beginning to rebound following the Covid-19 pandemic. The outcome of the strike will have significant implications for labor relations in the city and for the future of the Virgin Las Vegas Casino.
