As contract discussions dragged on throughout the early part of the summer union workers protested against automation; while at the negotiation table the Culinary Union demanded language that protected workers from losing their jobs to robots.

After the Culinary Union reached a contract agreement with Caesars Entertainment in June, Secretary-Treasurer Geoconda Arguello Kline said: “This innovative contract sets clear goals regarding technology and automation for worker retention, job training, advance notice of implementation, and severance package.”

The Culinary Union represents 50,000 hospitality employees in Las Vegas—including bartenders, housekeepers, servers, table game dealers, and kitchen staff.