Union officials recently announced a historic agreement that would see the Venetian and Palazzo casinos in Las Vegas unionize for the first time. This tentative five-year contract, confirmed by the Bartenders Union Local 165 and Culinary Union Local 226, follows a year of negotiations and marks a significant milestone for the workers at these properties.
The Venetian and Palazzo were the last two properties on the Las Vegas Strip to have not joined a union, with the Venetian opening in 1999 and the Palazzo in 2007. Under the former ownership of Las Vegas Sands, workers were prohibited from engaging in collective bargaining. However, with Apollo Global Management now operating the casinos, they did not oppose the workers’ decision to unionize.
The contract, which still needs to be voted on by the 4,000 hospitality workers at the VICI Properties-owned resort, includes provisions for pay raises, reduced workloads, and healthcare benefits. This agreement is similar to those negotiated by the unions with other major casino operators in the area, such as Wynn Resorts, Caesars Entertainment, and MGM Resorts International. These previous deals covered 18 properties and approximately 40,000 workers, providing a 32% pay increase over five years.
Culinary Union Local 226 Secretary-Treasurer Ted Pappageorge hailed the agreement as a testament to the power of worker solidarity and determination, emphasizing the importance of fair wages, job security, and proper working conditions for all employees. The union’s next challenge is negotiating similar contracts for workers at the newest resorts on the Strip, including the Fontainebleau Las Vegas and the Sphere. Additionally, they are currently engaged in tense negotiations with Virgin Hotels.
Overall, the unionization of the Venetian and Palazzo casinos represents a significant victory for workers in the hospitality industry in Las Vegas. This agreement sets a precedent for fair labor practices and demonstrates the importance of collective bargaining in ensuring that employees receive the wages, benefits, and working conditions they deserve.