Las Vegas Labor Union Threaten to Strike at Downtown Casinos

The Culinary Union’s 55,000 workers are instrumental to the functioning of Vegas casinos. A strike would severely halt business in the city.

A powerful Vegas labor union, the Culinary Union, has issued a warning that their workers employed at downtown casinos will go on strike if a new agreement isn’t reached.

Despite the threat, a precise deadline has not been given. Contracts between the union and employers expired June 1, 2013. While work has continued since then, this past March union members voted to authorize a strike if leaders called for one.

While they don’t receive the attention of pit bosses or croupiers, cooks, waiters and bartenders are crucial to the running of American poker rooms and casinos.

Golden Nugget avoids strike by cutting deal

Last month the Golden Nugget avoided a strike by reaching a 5-year agreement with the union. However, numerous other downtown Vegas casinos including the Four Queens, Fremont, Main Street Station, El Cortez, Binion’s, Golden Gate, The Plaza, and Las Vegas Club are without agreement and could face work stoppages.

American gambling laws allow each state to regulate their own casino industry. In most states casino employees are not unionized, but Nevada is an exception. The Culinary Union is one of the largest in Nevada with 55,000 members.