Strike Authorization Vote by 10,000 Culinary and Bartenders Union Members

WHO: Members of the Culinary Workers Union Local 226 and
Bartenders Union Local 165

WHAT: Strike Authorization Vote for Las Vegas Casino and Laundry Workers

WHEN: Wednesday, September 12 at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Press Availability at 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

WHERE: Cashman Field
1101 Las Vegas Blvd North, Las Vegas, NV

Las Vegas – In two separate shift meetings, members of the Culinary Workers Union Local 226 and the Bartenders Union Local 165 will be voting to authorize the unions’ negotiating committee to call for economic action, up to a strike, if new contract settlements are not reached. The vote covering almost 10,000 casino and laundry workers will affect properties in both Downtown Las Vegas and on the Strip.

The Culinary Workers Union Local 226 represents over 60,000 workers in Nevada. Members of the Culinary Union work in many classifications including cocktail waitresses, cooks, bellmen, kitchen workers, housekeepers, and other service workers. An additional 1,000 Culinary members at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno voted to authorize a strike on August 30. On September 4th, the Culinary and Bartenders Unions, along with their parent union UNITE HERE, announced a $80 million strike fund to pay strike benefits, offer support benefits and cover logistical costs indefinitely.

D. Taylor, Culinary Union Secretary-Treasurer noted that, “We are thrilled to have reached new contract agreements with Harrah’s Entertainment, MGM Mirage Corporation, the Riviera, the Stratosphere, and the Sahara. However, our union will not leave a single worker behind. We want a fair, new contract that protects the Las Vegas Dream for every member of this union, whether they work Downtown, on the Strip, in the casinos, or in the laundries. On September 12th, our members will have the opportunity to vote to give their negotiating committee authorization to call for a strike, if that is what is necessary to achieve a fair contract.”