LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — Contract negotiations between the Culinary and Bartender Unions and MGM Resorts are set to commence on Tuesday.
Throughout the week, these unions will sit down with representatives from MGM Resorts, Caesars Entertainment, and Wynn Resorts. The outcome of these negotiations has significant implications, as it could lead to a citywide strike if the interests of hospitality workers are not met.
These bargaining sessions cover various topics within their contracts, such as demands for higher wages, reduced healthcare costs, protection against technology, and the right to strike for non-union workers.
In addition to a union leader, Channel 13 anchor Joe Moeller talked with a Mandalay Bay room attendant Tuesday, Elena Newman, about issues workers are seeing at Strip properties.
She told Moeller that daily room cleaning needs to come back and how attendants are doing more cleaning with less people.
"We do the best we can to serve guests...we deserve to get paid more," Elena said, adding that it is hard to keep up with increasing bills and rent in the Las Vegas area.
"Room rates are through the roof, 30% higher than prepandemic and at the same time they may not clean the room so workers like elena are getting laid off," said Ted Pappageorge, the Secretary-Treasurer of the Culinary Union.
Pappageorge continues, telling our reporter Shakeria Hawkins that the benefits have yet to reach the workers despite the resorts' record profits and robust recovery following the pandemic.
"If we can’t get some progress, I think the members are going to vote to set a strike deadline by the end of the week," said Pappageorge.
The union's agenda includes meetings with MGM Resorts on Tuesday, Caesars Entertainment on Wednesday, and Wynn Resorts on Friday.
