On Sunday, union employees at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas continued their walkout into its third day, calling for better pay and benefits. The walkout, the first in Nevada since 2002, interrupts operations as the city gets ready for the highly anticipated Las Vegas Grand Prix, with no new talks planned.
The hotel is the site of picketing by some 700 union members, including food servers, bartenders, room attendants, and kitchen employees. The Culinary Workers Union, which represents over 60,000 members throughout the state, is requesting wage and benefit arrangements that are similar to those negotiated with other casinos in Las Vegas last year.
Bethany Khan, a spokesperson for the union, confirmed there are no immediate plans for negotiations. To support participants, the union is offering $500 per week to those who join picketing shifts.
Disagreement Over Pay Terms
Virgin Hotels has called the wage terms agreed upon by other casinos—32% increases over five years—”economically unsustainable.” Despite this, the company expressed its commitment to finding a “reasonable agreement” for its 1,710 employees. Management also accused union leaders of stalling “meaningful negotiations.”
This isn’t the first work stoppage at Virgin Hotels in 2024. In May, workers held a two-day strike over the same unresolved contract disputes. The union’s demands continue to focus on securing a new five-year contract, a goal yet to be realized despite months of effort.
Meanwhile, Virgin Hotels recently reached a contract agreement with the Teamsters Union for 105 employees, including valet and call center staff. However, the ongoing strike by the Culinary Workers Union underscores broader labor issues in Nevada’s hospitality sector.
The timing of the strike could significantly affect Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, as the Formula 1 race is expected to draw massive crowds. Without resolution, the strike threatens to disrupt services during one of the city’s busiest events.
As the standoff continues, both sides remain firmly entrenched. Whether this impasse can be resolved before the Grand Prix remains uncertain, leaving questions about the strike’s broader implications for the city’s hospitality industry.
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