LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — The Culinary Union has announced a "tentative agreement" with Wynn on Friday morning, averting a massive strike of hospitality workers.
The agreement will guarantee new 5-year contracts for nearly 5,000 workers across the Wynn and Encore hotels on the Las Vegas Strip.
After a marathon week of negotiations, union leadership negotiated late into the night with hotel officials, similar to the two tentative agreements before. The agreement includes stipulations about daily room cleanings, job protections against artificial intelligence, and better working conditions, among other things.
BREAKING: Less than 3 hours before the strike deadline, Culinary Union is pleased to announce a Tentative Agreement for a new 5-year contract has been reached w/@WynnLasVegas for approximately 5,000 hospitality workers in Las Vegas. Statement forthcoming. #OneJobShouldBeEnough pic.twitter.com/JX7Che7Hid
— Culinary Union (@Culinary226) November 10, 2023
From the onset of bargaining, Ted Pappageorge, the chief contract negotiator for the Culinary Workers Union, had said tens of thousands of workers whose contracts expired earlier this year would be willing to go on strike to make daily room cleanings mandatory. Pappageorge said the cut in daily room cleanings would pose health and safety concerns for the housekeepers who still had to reach a daily room quota.
“Las Vegas needs to be full service," he said last month.
Wynn Las Vegas officials released the following statement shortly after the agreement was reached:
We strongly believe that only the most talented and empowered employees, working in an environment in which they feel valued and well compensated, can deliver our signature Wynn and Encore guest experiences.
Therefore, we are very pleased that we were able to reach an agreement with Culinary Workers Union Local 226 which fulfills our shared goal of providing outstanding benefits and overall compensation to our employees in a work environment that is second to none.
Wynn has historically enjoyed a relationship with Unite Here that is based on mutual respect and a shared interest in doing the best we can for those most important to us – our employees. This year has been no exception.
We look forward to ratification of our agreement soon, and to providing the legendary service for which our employees are known to the thousands of race fans about join us.
This was the last contract needed to avoid a strike on the Las Vegas Strip that would see 35,000 hospitality workers walk out on major upcoming events like the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
On Friday afternoon, President Joe Biden issued a statement congratulating workers for reaching an agreement.
"Congratulations to the Culinary and Bartenders Unions who worked together in good faith towards an agreement that gives all workers the quality of life they deserve. Las Vegas has a long union history and workers have been critical to the city’s growth and success. All workers – including hospitality workers – should have good jobs with fair pay and benefits that give them the opportunity to provide for themselves and their families.
As a candidate for President, I had the honor of joining Culinary Union members on the picket line and standing shoulder-to-shoulder with men and women who form the backbone of a city that brings joy to millions around the world. These workers understand better than just about anybody that a job is about more than just a paycheck. It’s about dignity. It’s about respect. Most importantly, it’s about being able to look your kid in the eye and say, ‘Honey, it’s going to be okay.’ Union members made clear that one job should be enough.
Culinary Union members will have the final say on this tentative agreement, and there are still Las Vegas workers in negotiations who deserve a fair deal. But the sacrifices made by hospitality workers, autoworkers, actors, Teamsters, writers, port workers, rail workers, and health care workers are the driving force behind a growing movement to ensure workers receive a fair share of the value they’ve helped create. This agreement will help give all workers the quality of life they deserve."
The Culinary Union thanked the president "for your continued leadership" and they are grateful for the support.
Thanks, President Biden for your continued leadership. As the most pro-union president ever, we are grateful for your support as we fought for & won the BEST contract ever! YES WE DID win for hospitality workers in NV & we will continue the fight. @potus https://t.co/UVqGN8UzFd pic.twitter.com/YdbLsUEZg9
— Culinary Union (@Culinary226) November 11, 2023
