Las Vegas — Sin City: A Paradise of Extravagance
Behind the shimmering lights and glitz of Las Vegas lies a bustling workforce. Tens of thousands of dedicated individuals are responsible for preparing mouthwatering meals, crafting refreshing drinks, and meticulously tidying up lavish suites.
On Tuesday, a momentous event unfolded at the Thomas & Mack Center of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. The members of the Culinary Workers Union and its sister union, the Bartenders Union, overwhelmingly voted in favor of authorizing a strike if a new five-year labor deal is not reached. The vote came in at an impressive 95% margin.
This strike authorization applies to approximately 40,000 out of the 60,000 dedicated members who form the Culinary Workers and Bartenders unions across the state of Nevada, as stated in a news release by the organizations.
If this strike were to materialize, it would have a profound impact on the 22 illustrious casinos lining the Las Vegas Strip.
“They don’t care about us,” expressed Norma Quinones, a dedicated housekeeper, in an interview with CBS News. “All they care about is making their own money, making the companies rich.”
Among the demands set forth by the Culinary Workers and Bartenders unions are substantial wage increases, lighter workloads, and enhanced safety measures for their members. This includes the utilization of safety buttons to address customer misconduct and safeguards to protect against intrusive tracking technology.
“The cost of living is skyrocketing — rents being jacked up through the roof,” emphasized Ted Pappageorge, secretary-treasurer of the Culinary Workers Union. “Folks need a raise to contend with the rising prices of gas, groceries, and electricity.”
Currently, three prominent hotel chains are actively negotiating with these unions. The much-anticipated talks are scheduled to take place next week.
MGM Resorts, in a statement to CBS News, highlighted their successful history of bargaining with the Las Vegas Culinary & Bartenders Unions. They expressed confidence in reaching a mutually beneficial contract for all parties involved.
Wynn Resorts echoed a similar sentiment, emphasizing their positive and amicable relationship with labor unions. They referred to their employees as “the heart and soul of Wynn,” and expressed their commitment to continuing negotiations for competitive wages and benefits in line with their high standards.
Caesars Entertainment, on the other hand, did not immediately respond when contacted for comment.
This summer has been marked by strikes in various sectors of the American labor force. While another potential walkout looms, it is worth noting that one dispute has officially come to an end. On Sunday, the Writers Guild of America reached a tentative agreement with Hollywood studios, effectively concluding the strike that commenced in early May. Members have been authorized to return to work as of Wednesday.
Comedian Bill Maher announced the return of his HBO show, “Real Time,” on Friday. Furthermore, late-night talk shows are anticipated to resume their broadcasts next week.
The newly established WGA deal encompasses wage increases, mandatory staffing guidelines for television shows, and more transparent protocols for determining streaming residuals. Additionally, the agreement includes safeguards against the excessive use of artificial intelligence.
SAG-AFTRA, representing approximately 65,000 screen actors, has also been embroiled in a strike that commenced in mid-July. However, on Wednesday evening, SAG-AFTRA announced a resumption of negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, the entity representing major studios. These discussions are set to begin on October 2.
The United Auto Workers began their strike on September 15 against the Big Three automakers: Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis. President Biden even joined workers on the picket lines in Detroit on Tuesday. As of now, around 20,000 members of UAW have participated in walkouts across 20 states.
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