Culinary Union Announces Strike at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas

Hospitality workers at Virgin Hotels in Las Vegas are gearing up for a two-day strike as contract negotiations with their employer stall, according to union officials. Culinary Local 226 members are the only workers along the resort corridor yet to reach an agreement with their employer.

Negotiations stalled, strike imminent:

While most downtown and off-Strip properties settled with the union in early February, Virgin Hotels and the union extended talks past the initial strike deadline of February 5th. However, with negotiations showing no progress, the union has called for a 48-hour labor strike affecting approximately 700 unionized hospitality workers, starting from 5 a.m. Friday through 5 a.m. Sunday.

Ted Pappageorge, Secretary-Treasurer for the union, emphasized the workers’ demand for fair wage increases. He stated, “Workers at Virgin Las Vegas deserve fair wage increases and they are organized and ready to strike for it.”

Representatives for Virgin Hotels have yet to comment on the impending strike. However, Virgin President Cliff Atkinson had previously mentioned that the announced changes to casino operations would not affect hospitality workers. Negotiations with Culinary continue in good faith, according to Atkinson.

The strike is expected to impact unionized restaurants on-site, including Casa Calavera, Funny Library Coffee Shop, Juice Bar, The Bar at Commons Club, The Kitchen at Commons Club, and The Shag Room.

Extended negotiations due to financial considerations:

Negotiations with Virgin were extended past February due to financial considerations. The property underwent rebranding to Virgin Hotels in March 2021 under new management.

The last Culinary strike occurred in 2002 when workers at Golden Gate casino in downtown Las Vegas walked off the job for 10 days before reaching a new contract deal.

Despite the challenges, the Culinary Union remains steadfast in its support for the workers at Virgin Hotels. Pappageorge reiterated the union’s commitment to standing by the employees every step of the way. “As Virgin Las Vegas workers go on strike on Friday, May 10th, the Culinary Union has their back every step of the way and we will win,” he stated, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

Community response:

The announcement of the strike has garnered attention from the local community and customers alike. Supporters are urged to refrain from crossing the picket line in solidarity with the striking workers.

As the strike deadline approaches, both parties are bracing for the potential impact of the labor action. The outcome of the strike could have significant ramifications for labor relations in the hospitality industry in Las Vegas and beyond.

The impending strike at Virgin Hotels underscores the ongoing challenges faced by hospitality workers in negotiating fair labor agreements. With tensions running high, all eyes are on Virgin Hotels and Culinary Local 226 as they navigate through this critical juncture in their labor negotiations.