Las Vegas Casino Operators Called to Renegotiate their Employees’ Contracts

Thousands of hotel and casino workers in Las Vegas are preparing to go on strike, if employers don’t meet their demands.

Nevada’s largest union, the Culinary Union, is calling members to vote for the authorization of a strike, on March 27. The vote was scheduled for the end of the month to give companies more time to negotiate with their employees’ representatives.

According to local gambling news, the union has been negotiating terms of employment with 12 independent hotels and casinos in the state. About 6,000 people work at these venues and some of them might strike and picket outside their workplaces if employers don’t meet their demands.

Several casinos licensed under American gambling laws have been called to sit down at the negotiation table, including the D, Four Queens, Las Vegas Club, Plaza, Fremont, Golden Nugget, Golden Gate, Binion’s, Main Street Station, El Cortez, the LHV and Margaritaville.

New contracts approved

Larger companies, such as MGM Resorts International and Caesars Entertainment Corp. have already settled. Stratosphere, Riviera, Tropicana and Treasure Island – all independent casinos – have also sorted out their employees’ new contracts.

Under the new deal, people who were fired when restaurants closed during the recession will be brought back and casinos will get more freedom in scheduling split shifts. The contracts also preserve health benefits and add new measures to protect employees working in every department, including food and beverage, housekeeping and cocktails.