Hundreds of Las Vegas hospitality workers are scheduled to participate in the Culinary Union's first official strike in more than two decades, as the organization continues to negotiate with Virgin Hotels Las Vegas for a new five-year contract. 

“When there is an active picket line outside of a casino, there is a labor dispute, and so the Culinary Union is already urging customers and community allies to not cross the picket line at the Virgin Las Vegas and will be encouraging visitors to cancel their reservation, check out of the property, and choose a union accommodation,” the release said. 

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“We are fighting for a new union contract that includes better wages, less workload, and for the same rights that every other casino has on the Strip,” Alain Lopez, a food server at Virgin and Culinary Union member, said in the release. “We are going on strike at the Virgin Las Vegas to make sure that one job should be enough!” 

It’s been almost a year since union workers’ contract expired at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, said Ted Pappageorge, secretary-treasurer for the Culinary Union, in a statement Wednesday. 

“Workers at Virgin Las Vegas deserve fair wage increases and they are organized and ready to strike for it,” Pappageorge said in the release. “As Virgin Las Vegas workers go on strike … the Culinary Union has their back every step of the way and we will win.” 

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“I’m ready to strike because I’m fighting for me, my family, and my co-workers,” Isabel Gonzalez, a guest-room attendant at Virgin and a Culinary Union member of 14 years, said in a statement. “I’m willing to do whatever it takes to win … great wage increases, health care, and job security for my family. My co-workers and I … are united to win higher wages and to get a contract so that one job should be enough.”