As part of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast's ongoing effort to share the issues unions face across the country, we featured portions of the May 23 press conference from UNITE HERE! Culinary Workers Union Local 226 Secretary-Treasurer, Ted Pappageorge, where he discussed the ongoing negotiations with Virgin Hotels Las Vegas. He discussed the strike at the property held from May 10-12 and his thoughts on the progress of negotiations since the strike.

For the first time in over 22 years, the Culinary and Bartenders Unions led more than 700 hospitality workers in a strike at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas. As workers continue to push for a new five-year contract, Virgin Las Vegas has not been bargaining in good faith, Pappageorge said. A planned 48-hour strike at the resort began Friday, May 10 and ended Sunday, May 12.