LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — Workers with the Culinary Union will go on strike at Virgin Las Vegas property on Friday, May 10.
More than 700 people will be on strike for 48 hours starting at 5 a.m. this Friday. The strike is set to last until Sunday. May 12 at 4:59 a.m.
The property has never been subject to a strike before and the union says the reason for striking lies in a continued push for a five year union contract.
Wednesday evening, a spokesperson for Culinary Workers Union Local 226 sent out a state which read, in part, the following:
"The Culinary Union is already urging customers and community allies to not cross the picket line at the Virgin Las Vegas and will be encouraging visitors to cancel their reservation, check out of the property, and choose a union accommodation....Last year, members of the Culinary and Bartenders Unions voted to authorize a Citywide Strike after tens of thousands of hospitality workers packed the Thomas and Mack Center in September 2023 to cast their votes. Contracts for over 50,000 workers have since been settled and workers have won the best contract ever. Contract negotiations for one casino property remains: The Virgin Las Vegas contract which expired June 1, 2023, and the extension was terminated."
Early Thursday morning, Virgin Hotels Las Vegas released the following statement:
“Virgin Hotels Las Vegas values the hard work and dedication of our team members, and our commitment to our team members is reflected in our ongoing work to reach a mutually beneficial agreement for all parties. Despite our sincere efforts to meet and negotiate, we have been unable to reach a satisfactory agreement with the Culinary Workers Union 226 and Bartenders Union Local 165. Based on our discussions and the Union’s actions to date, we do not believe the Union is negotiating in good faith. For this reason, we have moved to take legal action and we have filed an unfair labor practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board.
The Union has informed us it intends to commence a 48-hour strike on Friday, May 10th – a strike which we do not believe is in anyone’s best interest. Because the Union has not told us what agreements it believes are necessary to avoid a strike, we have asked the Union to join us in mediation as soon as possible. The goal of mediation is to reach an agreement without disrupting our guests and our team members’ lives with a work stoppage.
Our commitment to providing exceptional service remains unwavering, and we continue to work towards a swift resolution that benefits both our team members and our guests. If a strike begins on Friday, we intend to take all lawful steps necessary to continue operating and providing exceptional guest service.”
