After 700 workers from Culinary Union Local 226 organized a strike against Virgin Hotels Las Vegas that lasted 48 hours, the standoff is now over. The strike, which started on May 10, aimed to put pressure on Virgin Hotels Las Vegas executives to sign a new five-year contract which will provide employees with better wages and bebefits.

Virgin Hotels Las Vegas Employees Demand Fair Deal

Virgin Hotels Las Vegas room attendants, cocktail and food servers, porters, bellmen, cooks, bartenders, and laundry and kitchen staff set up picket lines outside the company’s property located very near the Las Vegas Strip and previously known as Hard Rock Las Vegas, reported the Associated Press.

The union’s Secretary-Treasurer, Ted Pappageorge, said that Virgin Hotels Las Vegas employees hope that their strike will help fast-track the stalled negotiation process and a new agreement will be reached. Following the strike, talks will start again on May 14.

Prior to the strike, Virgin Hotels Las Vegas filed a complaint at the National Labor Relations Board against its employees stating that the union was not sincere in its negotiation efforts. Pappageorge countered the company’s claims defining them as mere corporate tactics.

The Virgin Hotels Las Vegas workers strike comes on the backdrop of a series of negotiations with various Las Vegas hospitality industry giants, which took place earlier this year. As other union members employed by Downtown Grand Hotel & Casino and Golden Nugget Las Vegas Hotel & Casino, for example, achieved substantial wager increases for the next five years, Virgin Hotels Las Vegas employees were left behind. This prompted dissatisfaction among workers, which eventually led to the recent strike.

Workers Optimistic as Negotiations Continue

Ted Pappageorge commented that the contract with Virgin Hotels Las Vegas expired on June 1, 2023, making it almost a year since the company’s employees were left without a new one. This prolonged period without job security and better payment conditions on the backdrop of increased inflation and economic challenges is not to be tolerated, hence, the union resorted to strike measures.

The strike at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas is relatively small in scale compared to previous strike action organized or planned by the Culinary Union. However, its impact was significant considering the property’s strategic location near both the Las Vegas Strip and the Las Vegas airport. As negotiations continue both the Culinary Union and its members are positive regarding a quick resolution in their favor providing them with fair wages and increased benefits.

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After a grueling 47-day standoff, the Detroit Casino Council announced the ratification of a groundbreaking labor agreement with MGM Grand Detroit, effectively bringing an end to the strike that commenced on October 17. The agreement, hailed as historic, follows similar resolutions with Hollywood Casino at Greektown and MotorCity Casino, solidifying a united front for the city’s casino workers.

MGM Grand Detroit Workers Secure Record Wage Increases

The union members, comprising nearly 4,000 employees under the Detroit Casino Council, voted overwhelmingly in favor of the five-year contract on December 2. The prolonged strike, triggered by concerns over healthcare and stagnant wages, saw solidarity among workers from various unions, including UNITE HERE Local 24, UAW Local 7777, Teamsters Local 1038, Operating Engineers Local 324, and the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters.

The terms of the agreement mark a significant victory for the workers, with MGM Grand Detroit employees securing the largest wage increases in the casino’s history. Immediate pay raises of $3 per hour, translating to an average 18% increase, were granted upon ratification. 

Over the course of the five-year contract, employees are slated to receive a cumulative $5 per hour raise. Notably, the agreement includes a bonus option, no healthcare cost increases, workload reductions, and unprecedented job and technology protections.

MGM Grand Detroit Staff Reflect on Strike’s Significance

Patrick Nichols, a dealer at MGM Grand Detroit and member of UAW Local 7777, conveyed his satisfaction with the negotiated contract, expressing that he was impressed by how all the unions and members had worked together to secure an excellent contract. He mentioned that he was looking forward to returning to work, reported the Michigan Advance.

The Detroit Casino Council, in a written statement, highlighted the significance of the agreement, emphasizing the inclusion of first-ever technology protections and a paid Juneteenth holiday. 

Alicia Weaver, a guest room attendant with 24 years of service at MGM Grand Detroit, shared her thoughts on the broader impact of the strike, stating for Detroit Free Press that, together with the rest of the MGM family who stood with them on the picket line in challenging weather conditions, they had made history. She expressed pride in what they had achieved by taking a stand together.MGM Resorts International executives welcomed the resolution with enthusiasm.

Matt Buckley, the President and COO of the Midwest Group at MGM Resorts International, expressed their excitement about welcoming the team back and continuing to offer guests the renowned entertainment experiences associated with MGM Grand Detroit.

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The strike by unionized casino workers at MGM Grand Detroit continues after they rejected a tentative five-year labor contract. The decision stands in contrast to the resolution reached at MotorCity Casino and Hollywood Casino at Greektown, where workers overwhelmingly approved the proposed agreements, ending their 34-day strike.

Detroit Casino Council Faces Scrutiny as MGM Grand Workers Decline Tentative Agreement

The Detroit Casino Council, representing five unions, had brokered a tentative deal on November 17 to cover 3,700 workers across the three casinos. While the rejection by MGM Grand workers raises questions, the council refrained from disclosing specific reasons behind the decision.

Wendy Abraham, a union member and dealer at MGM Grand Detroit, expressed apprehension about the extended 64-month contract, stating that she had reservations, believing it to be excessively long, reported WMYD Detroit. Another significant issue for several individuals involved the suggested upfront pay raise of $3 per hour. Catherine Bilek Roberts, also affiliated with MGM, maintained that they should receive a minimum of $6 or $7 per hour in the initial year.

Notably, the rejection by MGM Grand workers has left them isolated, with MotorCity and Hollywood Casino employees returning to work. The broader context of labor struggles in Detroit sees parallels with ongoing strikes, such as those by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan workers.

MGM’s Strong Finances Clash with Detroit’s Casino Strike

The rejection carries significance against the backdrop of MGM Resorts International‘s robust financial performance, reporting net revenues of $4 billion in the third quarter, a 16% increase from the previous year. 

At the same time, the month-long strike has led to temporary closures and disruptions in services, impacting valet services and amenities at the affected casinos. The Michigan Gaming Control Board reported substantial revenue losses in October, ranging from $5 million to $7 million for each casino, resulting in an 18% drop in overall revenue compared to the previous month. 

The MGM casino management expressed disappointment at the rejection, with Matt Buckley, President & COO of MGM Resorts Midwest Group, calling the offer “historic” and emphasizing its potential benefits for employees and their families.

Buckley emphasized that the proposal comprised the most extensive wage hikes ever seen in the 23-year history of the Detroit casino industry. As the strike persists, the impact on Detroit and Michigan’s economy remains a concern, with projected daily losses of approximately $738,000 in city and state tax revenues and $3.4 million in casino operator revenues.

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The workers, members of the powerful Culinary Workers Union, staged the protest to spotlight their ongoing contract negotiations with three major casino giants – MGM Resorts International, Caesars Entertainment, and Wynn Resorts.

Las Vegas Workers Stage Peaceful Protest as Union Negotiations Intensify

The demonstration saw workers forming two separate circles, strategically positioning themselves in the middle of the bustling thoroughfare, reported the Associated Press. As the sun dipped below the horizon, police officers began the process of arresting around 58 protesters who had engaged in the act of civil disobedience, sitting peacefully in the street.

Yet Lieutenant Mark Lourenco, a spokesperson for the Las Vegas police, assured that the strike action was peaceful.

The Culinary Workers Union, representing approximately 60,000 members, has been negotiating contracts for about 40,000 of its members whose agreements recently expired. Their demands cover a range of issues, including pay raises and improved working conditions. Union spokesperson Bethany Khan stated that all members currently enjoy health insurance and earn an average of $26 per hour, including benefits.

The rally served as a precursor to a potential strike, with the union’s leaders emphasizing their preparedness to take more significant actions if negotiations fail to yield satisfactory results. Ted Pappageorge, the union’s secretary and treasurer, hinted at the possibility of thousands of workers walking off the job in the coming weeks if progress is not made at the bargaining table.

Las Vegas Workers Ready for Massive Walkout as Talks Stall

In the midst of the crowd wearing red shirts, Kimberly Dopler, an experienced cocktail server at Wynn Las Vegas, conveyed the collective determination of the workers. She stated that she hoped the companies would heed their demands and understand that they were serious, indicating their readiness to initiate a walkout.

The Culinary Workers Union, historically a formidable force in Nevada, has not staged a strike in over three decades. Their recent show of strength mirrors a nationwide trend of workers’ strikes, including those in Hollywood and the automotive industry, indicating a growing wave of labor activism across the United States.

Despite ongoing talks, little progress was made, leading to disruptions on the iconic Las Vegas Strip. The talks are set to resume with Caesars Entertainment on October 27, followed by talks with Wynn Resorts on October 30.In an additional shake-up of Sin City, Las Vegas recently grappled with a cybersecurity threat at MGM Resorts International, raising concerns about data security and operational disruptions within the hospitality sector.

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