STATEMENT by Geoconda Argüello-Kline regarding Governor Sisolak’s recent press conference and casino reopening plans

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Monday, May 18th, 2020

MEDIA CONTACT:

Bethany Khan: bkhan@culinaryunion226.org ▪ (702) 387-7088

STATEMENT by Geoconda Argüello-Kline regarding Governor Sisolak’s recent press conference and casino reopening plans: 

As casinos move to reopen, the Culinary Union will not allow workers to be experimented with. Workers’ lives depend on a uniform mandate from Governor Sisolak throughout Nevada to protect workers and hospitality industry. 

The idea that each gaming company can come up with their own plans, keep those plans secret, and hope that one bad employer doesn’t harm workers and the entire industry is a potential disaster. 

The Culinary Union is not going to allow that. Workers’ lives are at risk. So far, 15 Culinary Union members and members of their families have passed away due to COVID-19. We need to do everything we can to prevent any more.

The Culinary Union calls on Governor Sisolak to use his considerable authority to mandate a uniform health and safety protocol immediately, and to require each gaming company to post their detailed safety guidelines for the public to see. 

DECLARACIÓN de Geoconda Argüello-Kline referente a la reciente rueda de prensa y planes para reabrir los casinos que dio el Gobernador Sisolak:

A medida que los casinos se movilizan para abrir nuevamente, la Unión Culinaria no va a permitir que se realicen experimentos con los trabajadores. Las vidas de los trabajadores dependen de que el Governor Sisolak emita un mandato uniforme para todo Nevada que proteja a los trabajadores y a la industria del juego.

La idea de que cada compañía de juego puede crear su propio plan, mantener esos planes secretos, y luego tener la expectativa de que un mal empleador no perjudicaría a los trabajadores y a toda la industria es un posible desastre. 

La Unión Culinaria no va a permitir eso. Las vidas de los trabajadores dependen de ello. Hasta ahora, 15 miembros de la Unión Culinaria y sus parientes han fallecido debido a COVID-19. Tenemos que hacer todo lo posible por evitar más muertes.

La Unión Culinaria pide que el Gobernador Sisolak use su significativa autoridad para ordenar inmediatamente que se establezca un protocolo de salud y seguridad uniforme, y para requerir que cada compañía de juego publique sus pautas de seguridad detalladas para que así el público las vea.

ABOUT CULINARY UNION:

Culinary Workers Union Local 226 and Bartenders Union Local 165, Nevada affiliates of UNITE HERE, represent 60,000 workers in Las Vegas and Reno, including at most of the casino resorts on the Las Vegas Strip and in Downtown Las Vegas. UNITE HERE represents 300,000 workers in gaming, hotel, and food service industries in North America.  

The Culinary Union, through the Culinary Health Fund, is one of the largest healthcare consumers in the state. The Culinary Health Fund is sponsored by the Culinary Union and Las Vegas-area employers. It provides health insurance coverage for over 145,000 Nevadans, the Culinary Union’s members and their dependents.  

 

The Culinary Union is Nevada’s largest immigrant organization with members who come from 178 countries and speak over 40 different languages. We are proud to have helped over 18,000 immigrants become American citizens and new voters since 2001 through our affiliate, The Citizenship Project. 

 

The Culinary Union has a diverse membership -- approximately 55% women, 54% Latinx, 19% White, 15% Asian, 10% Black, and less than 1% Indigenous Peoples — and consists of guest room attendants, cocktail and food servers, porters, bellmen, cooks, bartenders, laundry and kitchen workers. The Culinary Union has been fighting for fair wages, job security, and good health benefits for workers in Nevada for 85 years.  

CulinaryUnion226.org / @Culinary226 

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