Las Vegas Culinary Union Ends Historic Strike with Virgin Hotels Deal

LAS VEGAS, Nev. (AP) — The longest strike in decades by Las Vegas hotel workers ended Wednesday as the Culinary Workers Union unanimously ratified a new five-year contract with Virgin Hotels Las Vegas. The agreement, which covers approximately 700 hospitality workers, concludes a 69-day strike that began on Nov. 15, 2024.

The union announced the deal on social media, with workers celebrating the resolution at their headquarters. Ted Pappageorge, the union’s secretary-treasurer, told members, “It feels good to win.” The new contract includes significant wage increases, with non-tipped workers earning $4.32 per hour and tipped workers earning $2.16 per hour. Workers will also receive paid time off for days missed during the strike.

“We are proud to come back to work, and we win. We don’t do this for love; we do this for justice for our families because one job is enough,” said Jorge Martinez Rodriguez, a union member. The strike, which began after the previous contract expired on June 1, 2023, was marked by public demonstrations and picket lines outside the hotel-casino, located near the Las Vegas Strip.

Virgin Hotels had initially expressed disappointment with the union, claiming the demands were not economically viable for the off-Strip property. However, the new agreement aligns with contracts secured by other Strip and downtown casinos, including a historic 32% wage increase over five years. “This is amazing; we are finally getting back to work with the pay we deserve,” said Reiza Robles, another union member.

The strike drew widespread attention, with workers blocking traffic, a comedian canceling a show in solidarity, and the NFL Players Association pledging to boycott the casino. Union members, including housekeepers, porters, and servers, remained steadfast in their demands for fair wages. “I’m ready to go for as long as I need to, and I’m pretty sure that’s how everyone else is feeling too,” said Michael Renick, a bartender at Virgin Hotels.

The Culinary Workers Union, Nevada’s largest labor union with 60,000 members, last went on strike in 2002. The resolution of this strike marks a significant victory for hospitality workers in Las Vegas, setting a precedent for future labor negotiations in the city’s bustling tourism industry.