LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — The Culinary Union reached another "tentative agreement" with MGM Resorts International on Thursday.
This agreement will guarantee a new five-year contract for approximately 25,400 workers across 8 MGM properties on the Las Vegas Strip. This news comes after the union reached a similar deal with Caesars Entertainment on Wednesday.
Like their deal with Caesars, union leadership says this deal came after nearly 20 hours of negotiating.
BREAKING: After nearly 20 hours of negotiating, Culinary Union is pleased to announce a Tentative Agreement towards a new 5-year contract has been reached w/@MGMResortsIntl for approx 25,400 hospitality workers at 8 Vegas properties. Statement forthcoming. #OneJobShouldBeEnough pic.twitter.com/woVufUNkTR
— Culinary Union (@Culinary226) November 9, 2023
Ted Pappageorge, the secretary-treasurer for the Culinary Union, told Channel 13 he feels "cautiously optimistic" after reaching a tentative deal with Caesars on Wednesday.
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“MGM has the opportunity to do the right thing,” said Pappageorge during a virtual press conference. “We have a lot of work to do. All of the same issues that were facing us yesterday with the Caesars Entertainment negotiation committee are on the table here with MGM Resorts.”
Following the agreement, Pappageorge released the following statement:
“After 7 months of negotiations, we are proud to say that this is the best contract and economic package we have ever won for in our 88-year history. Workers have secured significant raises every year for the next five years, preserved our great union health insurance, union pension, and comprehensive union benefits while gaining historic improvements in housekeeping workload reductions, substantial improvements for workers regarding safety at work, the ability to have a say in how technology impacts our work, and ensuring the union and members can support non-union hospitality workers who seek to join our union. With this new union contract, hospitality workers will be able to provide for their families and thrive in Las Vegas and we applaud MGM Resorts International, a company with which we have an over 40-year relationship, for showing leadership and doing the right thing to ensure their employees are treated with respect. Congratulations to MGM Resorts workers on your new tentative agreement!”
Bill Hornbuckle, the President and CEO of MGM Resorts International, also released a statement:
“Our employees are the heart of our company and the driving force in the success we’ve enjoyed in Las Vegas post-pandemic. We’re pleased to have reached a tentative agreement that averts a strike, gives our Culinary Union employees a well-earned boost to pay and benefits and reduces workloads – all while continuing to provide opportunities for growth and advancement. We’re thankful to our employees and to the leadership of the Culinary and Bartenders Unions - especially Ted Pappageorge, Diana Valles, Terry Greenwald, and Lana Loebig, and their teams - who dedicated significant time and energy to negotiating this agreement that works for all parties.”
Aria guest room attendant and union member Shaleah Taylor was also quoted in a release from the Culinary Union, saying, “Tonight, we won the best contract ever that we deserve, and I’m so happy."
She continued, "The credit reduction is very important to my daily workload because it means having less checkout rooms on a busy day, which will help me have a more manageable day and more energy for my family when I get home from work. With these new wage increases, I can feel secure knowing that I can provide for my four children and my elderly mother who lives with me.”
The union's release also highlighted MGM Grand food server and union member Margaret Jaramillo.
“This contract is the best contract ever!” said Jaramillo, who's been a union member for 19 years. “My co-workers and I worked so hard for months in negotiations to win the highest wage increases we’ve ever had. I’m proud that we won a great contract because it protects us, our pension, our raises, our safety, and everything else that is important. We made our voice heard and I’m especially proud of the technology language we expanded to further protect our jobs.”
