WHO: Members of the Culinary Workers Union Local 226 in Reno

WHAT: Strike Authorization Vote for Workers at Grand Sierra Resort and Contract Ratification Vote at Circus Circus Reno

WHEN: Thursday, August 30th, 11 am and 5 pm

WHERE: Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts – 100 S. Virginia St., Reno, NV

The Culinary Workers Union Local 226 will hold two votes for its Reno members on Thursday, August 30th. Workers from Circus Circus in Reno will be voting to ratify a new contract, after their negotiating committee came to a tentative agreement today. Workers from the Grand Sierra Resort will be taking a strike authorization vote on Thursday, August 30th. The Grand Sierra Resort workers will be voting to authorize the union’s negotiating committee to call for economic action, up to a strike, if a new contract settlement is not reached.

The Culinary Workers Union represents over 60,000 workers in Nevada’s gaming and hospitality industry. In Reno, the Culinary Workers Union represents approximately 1,000 members at the Grand Sierra Resort and 700 members at the Circus Circus. The Culinary has been in negotiations with the Grand Sierra and Circus Circus casinos since the Spring. Culinary members are currently working under contract extensions.

D. Taylor, Culinary Secretary-Treasurer noted, “We are happy to have reached a tentative agreement at Circus Circus that protects affordable health insurance and establishes a high standard for Northern Nevada casino workers. However, our members at the Grand Sierra are being asked to turn back the clock even though they have had to make a great number of sacrifices over the years. On August 30th, our Grand Sierra 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.”

The last time the Culinary Workers Union had a strike in Reno was in 1949.
Last year, members of Culinary Workers Union Local 226 voted for a dues increase to bolster the union’s strike fund.

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. Over 11,000 workers in Las Vegas are still working under extended contracts and will hold a Las Vegas strike authorization vote on September 12th.