Protests Scheme by Las Vegas Culinary Union at Caesars and MGM Resorts next week
Las Vegas Strip Workers Vote to Authorize Strike
In a historic move, an overwhelming 95% of Las Vegas restaurant and hotel workers have voted in favor of authorizing a strike as their existing contracts approach expiration. The union at the heart of this action is Culinary Local 226, which represents over 53,000 workers across the city's Strip properties [1][4][5].
The union's primary focus is on MGM and Caesars properties, where they are seeking revised no-strike clauses within the contracts. Negotiations are ongoing with MGM Resorts International, Caesars Entertainment, and Wynn Resorts [1].
The union's objectives are clear: fair wages, job security, and the best possible health care benefits, with contracts that reflect the casino corporations' record profits [1]. In preparation for a potential strike, 45 strike stations and multiple picket lines have been organized, targeting major properties such as Aria, Bellagio, Caesars Palace, Wynn, and MGM Grand [1].
Members have been provided with strike ID cards and guidance on strike pay to facilitate participation. The union has been active since 1935, advocating for workers at over 35 Las Vegas Strip properties [2].
The union's leadership has emphasized that past gains for workers came only through sustained efforts and militancy, underscoring the seriousness of their demands [1]. Despite ongoing negotiations, Ted Pappageorge, secretary-treasurer of the union, expressed disappointment about the progress [3].
Proposed changes include substantial wage and benefit increases, augmented safety protocols and technology integration, and a reduction in the workload for guest room attendants [3]. The protests will take place in front of Park MGM, Paris Las Vegas, and The Linq, with two-hour "informational" picket lines starting at 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Oct. 12 [2].
Picketers will then disperse to the sidewalks in front of Harrah's, Flamingo, Horseshoe, Planet Hollywood, and New York-New York [2]. Workers will participate in these demonstrations before or after their work shifts [3].
As the strike authorization was decisive, with 95% voting in favor, the union has the capacity to call for a strike at any juncture, involving 18 casino properties across the Las Vegas Strip [3]. However, related reports indicate that by 2025, tentative agreements were reached with major casino operators shortly before strike deadlines, suggesting eventual negotiation success after prolonged labor actions [1][5].
| Aspect | Details | |-----------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Union involved | Culinary Workers Union Local 226 in Las Vegas | | Strike year | 2023 (with ongoing related labor actions into 2024-2025) | | Objectives | Fair wages, job security, best health care benefits, contracts matching record casino profits| | Strike preparations | 45 strike stations, picket lines, strike ID cards, strike pay education | | Targeted properties | Major Las Vegas Strip casinos like Aria, Bellagio, Caesars Palace, Wynn, MGM Grand | | Strike status | Strike authorized unanimously; ongoing negotiations and strike activity continued beyond 2023| | Recent updates | Tentative agreements reached with Wynn and other casinos by mid-2025, ending some strike threats|
This strike is one of the longest and most significant labor disputes in Las Vegas hospitality, showcasing the union’s strong organizing capacity and leverage over a large membership. The ongoing negotiations and potential strike action serve as a testament to the workers' determination to secure a fair deal in the face of record casino profits.
[1] Las Vegas Sun, "Culinary Union authorizes strike against MGM, Caesars, Wynn," 2023. [2] Las Vegas Review-Journal, "Thousands of Las Vegas Strip workers to protest outside casino resorts," 2023. [3] KSNV News 3, "Culinary Union calls for workers to participate in protests outside casino resorts," 2023. [4] Nevada Independent, "Las Vegas casino workers union authorizes strike," 2023. [5] Associated Press, "Union reaches tentative agreement with Wynn Resorts, ending strike threat," 2025.
In the heart of Las Vegas, where casino-culture thrives, workers, united under Culinary Local 226, are standing firm for their casino-games counterparts, demanding fair wages, job security, and better health benefits that align with the casinos' record profits. Despite ongoing negotiations, these issues remain unresolved, sparking a potential strike at iconic casino-and-gambling destinations such as Aria, Bellagio, Caesars Palace, Wynn, and MGM Grand.
