Additional Coverage:
Las Vegas Casino Strike Continues
A strike by hundreds of casino workers at the Virgin Hotels Las Vegas is ongoing, with no negotiations scheduled between management and the Culinary Workers Union.
Workers are demanding higher pay and benefits similar to those agreed upon at other resorts last year. The strike affects around 700 union members, including guest room attendants, servers, and kitchen staff.
This is the first open-ended strike by the Culinary Union in Nevada since 2002. The union says it is paying striking workers $500 per week for picketing.
Virgin Hotels claims to have received applications from over 600 prospective replacement workers. However, it has reached an agreement with the Teamsters Union, representing front desk and valet staff.
The strike coincides with the upcoming Las Vegas Grand Prix, expected to draw a large crowd. Last year, other casinos agreed to contracts with the union before the race, including wage increases and expanded benefits.
Virgin Hotels has called the previous contracts “unsustainable” and wants a “reasonable agreement” for its employees. The union accuses management of refusing to negotiate in good faith.