In a dramatic turn of events, the unions representing Las Vegas Strip workers have struck tentative agreements with two of the three major casino giants, MGM Resorts and Caesars Entertainment, just hours before the looming strike deadline. This pivotal development comes as tens of thousands of housekeepers, bartenders, and other workers had voted in September to authorize a potential strike, seeking substantial wage increases and improved working conditions. With the strike deadline set for 5 a.m. ET on Friday, the unions are still in negotiations with Wynn Resorts, making this a critical moment in the history of labor negotiations in Las Vegas.
With less than 24 hours remaining before the strike deadline, the Culinary and Bartenders unions announced that they had reached a tentative agreement with MGM Resorts. This new five-year contract will cover approximately 25,400 workers employed across eight Las Vegas properties owned by the company. While the specific terms of the agreement were not disclosed, it is anticipated that the deal addresses the unions’ core demands, including substantial wage increases and improved working conditions.
In a significant move on Wednesday, the unions also successfully secured a tentative agreement with Caesars Entertainment, another major player in the Las Vegas casino industry. This series of rapid agreements is a testament to the determination and solidarity of the unions and their members, who have pushed for contracts that would include “the largest wage increases ever negotiated in the history of the Culinary Union,” as stated by union representatives.
The unions are continuing their negotiations with Wynn Resorts, the third and final major casino company involved in the ongoing labor talks. While it remains to be seen whether they can reach an agreement with Wynn Resorts before the strike deadline, the momentum from their successes with MGM Resorts and Caesars Entertainment is likely to add pressure on the remaining negotiations.
These tentative agreements come at a critical juncture for labor unions and workers in the Las Vegas hospitality industry. The unions have demonstrated their collective bargaining power and their ability to mobilize and negotiate for improved working conditions and fair wages. If all three major casino companies reach agreements with the unions before the strike deadline, it would be a historic victory for the workers and could set a precedent for future labor negotiations in the city.
The tentative agreements reached with MGM Resorts and Caesars Entertainment represent a significant step forward for Las Vegas Strip workers and their unions. As they continue their negotiations with Wynn Resorts and approach the looming strike deadline, the outcome of these discussions will have far-reaching implications for the future of labor relations in Las Vegas and the broader hospitality industry. The unions’ determination to secure better working conditions and wage increases is being put to the test, and the world is watching closely to see the outcome of these critical negotiations.
(Source: Dean Seal | WSJ | Katie Ann McCarver | Las Vegas Sun)
