At a press briefing held Thursday, May 9, Ted Pappageorge, the secretary-treasurer for Culinary Union, said that negotiations with the other properties were successful and ended in new contracts, with Virgin Hotels being the last outstanding hotel. After the February deadline passed, the union, along with the workers on the bargaining committee, decided to continue its negotiations with Virgin Hotels. “Unfortunately, those discussions have been unfruitful and the negotiating committee has made a decision to go on strike tomorrow morning at 5 a.m.” Pappageorge said.

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At the press briefing, Pappageorge confirmed that the Culinary and Bar Unions have no plans to meet with the hotel leadership in advance of the strike. “We don’t need a mediator to explain to workers the value of zero,” Pappageorge said. “Workers are not stupid. They’re very smart and it’s just another slap in the face from this company.”

This negotiation marks the second time the Culinary Union is heading to the bargaining table with Virgin Hotels for a new contract. The last negotiation ended with the hotel agreeing to pay Strip standards, but, according to Pappageorge, the cost of living has increased significantly in Las Vegas — the union agreeing to ratify the new contract is contingent upon securing wage increases.

“This strike is an economic strike,” Pappageorge told reporters in attendance at the briefing. He further alleged the hotel had invested in renovations while not offering raises to its employees.