Vegas Union Hotel Workers Hit the Jackpot with a Whoppin’ 32% Pay Raise in Epic New Caesars Contract. Who Says You Can’t Win Big in Sin City?

Las Vegas Union Hotel Workers Ratify New Caesars Contract with Record 32% Pay Increase 'Ultimate Deal of the Century!

The Culinary Workers Union made an exciting announcement on X, formerly known as Twitter. They revealed that an overwhelming 99% of the vote favored their new five-year deal. It’s safe to say they were pretty thrilled about it, as their post exclaimed, “BEST CONTRACT EVER! Congratulations to 10,000 hospitality workers!”

But that’s not all! The union is also expecting to approve contracts with Wynn Resorts and MGM Resorts International, the biggest employer on the Las Vegas Strip. This news is creating quite a buzz in the city.

What makes these deals even more remarkable is that they were tentatively reached just hours before the union threatened a massive walkout at 18 hotel-casinos on the Strip. Imagine the chaos that would have ensued at iconic places like Bellagio, Paris Las Vegas, MGM Grand, and Caesars Palace. It was a close call!

In their statement, Ted Pappageorge, the union’s chief negotiator, highlighted the incredible determination of the workers. They were ready to take a cut in pay and sacrifice their free time if the union had gone on strike. After seven months of negotiations, they secured historic pay raises, reduced housekeeping workloads, improved job security, and even took advancements in technology into account.

Pappageorge emphasized the dedication of the workers, who participated in rallies, protests, civil disobedience, picketing, and even made their own picket signs. He recounted how he himself went on strike in 1991 with 500 other employees at the now-shuttered New Frontier Hotel and Casino. Their strike lasted over six long years, making it one of the longest in U.S. history. But their persistence paid off, as all the strikers returned to their jobs with back pay and benefits.

• FTSE 100 Stumbles as Energy Stocks Drag; Cranswick Skyrockets with ...
• BA-owner IAG Sets Sights on the Skies with Projected Operating Marg...
• Ready for Takeoff? India’s Jindal Power Won’t Bid to Ta...

Now, the union has secured a massive 32% pay increase for its members over the next five years. In the first year alone, workers will see a delightful 10% bump in their pay. By the end of the contract, the estimated total payout from the casino companies amounts to an astonishing $2 billion.

These contracts cover more than 35,000 employees at properties along the Strip, owned or operated by industry giants like Caesars, MGM Resorts, and Wynn Resorts. Pappageorge proudly announced that by the end of the contract, union workers will earn an average of $35 per hour, including benefits. Currently, they make about $26 per hour with benefits. That’s a significant boost!

The union expressed their gratitude to the casino companies for recognizing the vital role of frontline workers. They commended the companies for investing in the success of the industry by offering historic pay raises and opportunities for growth tied to plans for bringing more union jobs to the Strip.

The magnitude of a potential strike by employees from all three companies cannot be overstated. It would have been a historic event, both in size and timing. Just think of the immediate impact it would have had: Reduced room cleanings, neglected landscaping, slow service at restaurants and bars, and long waits at valet. Not to mention limited room availability. The city would have felt the ripple effects.

It’s been an eventful year for labor unions across different industries. From Hollywood walkouts that brought the film and television industries to a halt, to UPS’ contentious negotiations that threatened the nation’s supply chain, and the ongoing hotel workers’ strike in Detroit’s three casinos, including the iconic MGM Grand Detroit.

So let’s raise a glass to the Culinary Workers Union and their triumphant negotiations. Cheers to the power of unity and perseverance!

Now, dear readers, what are your thoughts on this victory for the hospitality workers? Share your views and experiences in the comments below!