LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — Hundreds of culinary union workers from the Virgin Hotels Las Vegas picketed Saturday continuing their strike they started Friday, Nov.15.
Fellow culinary union members from other properties joined the strike Saturday in solidarity.
“We want to make that clear to the casino, to the company that we’re going to fight until we can’t," said Starbucks employee at Resorts World Yolanda Garcia.
💪🏽 No contract? NO PEACE! Hundreds of @VirginHotelsLV hospitality workers walked out on strike on Friday. In solidarity with the workers, DON'T cross the strike line, choose union accommodation instead! #ContractNOW #OneJobShouldBeEnough pic.twitter.com/XXvyeAoDOR
— Culinary Union (@Culinary226) November 17, 2024
Garcia showed her support picketing alongside the Virgin Hotels workers Saturday.
"I want them to get a better wage and I want them to get a better contract too because if they don't get a better contract, it'll affect them and it's going to affect us in the future," said Garcia.
“This is the culinary union strike. We’re going to support the Virgin workers as long as it takes to win their fair contract," said Culinary Union Secretary-Treasurer Ted Pappageorge.
While the union workers continue the strike, Virgin Hotels says they're getting hundreds of applicants.
Virgin Hotels sent Channel 13 this statement Saturday regarding the strike and new applicants.
On November 15, day one of the Culinary Workers Union 226 (Culinary Union) strike, more than 350 individuals lined up to apply to fill any shortages resulting from the strike. Today, on day two of the strike, 310 people showed up to apply.
Applicants included a mix of those seeking temporary employment, and contract workers from various agencies. We were overwhelmed with interest and, unfortunately, had to turn away 100 people.
Many of the individuals applying to work with Virgin Hotels Las Vegas had been laid off by other properties following their acceptance of the Culinary Union’s economically unsustainable contract.
Virgin Hotels Las Vegas is grateful for the dedication and professionalism of all team members, and to all new applicants for their support.
The entire Virgin Hotels Las Vegas team is ready to provide the exceptional guest experience we are known for.
Virgin Hotels Las Vegas remains focused on reaching a reasonable agreement that benefits all 1,710 team members. We urge the Culinary Union to let their members vote on our proposal.
Pappageorge says if they can afford temporary staff, they should be able to negotiate a fair contract.
“That’s another slap in the face by a company that is completely out of touch with their own workers, and out of touch with Las Vegas," said Pappageorge.
The debate over a fair contract is what both sides don't agree on. Pappageorge says they want similar raises compared to their contracts with other resorts & casinos.
The Culinary Union is asking for:
- Wage increases
- Reduced workload
- Safety protections for all classifications
- Strengthening existing tech protections
- protecting union jobs and benefits.
"The contract at Virgin Las Vegas expired on June 1, 2023 and workers are fighting for a new contract that secures a better future for their families, that’s why the Culinary Union has called for a strike at the Virgin Las Vegas on Friday, November 15th and urges Las Vegas locals and customers to not cross the strike line in solidarity with the workers.”
Virgin Hotels says the proposed contract is "Not economically viable for our off-strip property.
“I hope they come to some sort of agreement, and once that, they’ll get their peace," said Virgin Hotels Employee Jesse Cole.
The strike impacts 700 union hospitality workers. There will be 24/7 picket lines around the property.
The union says they are prepared to support these workers on strike as long as it takes, until there is a new deal.
