STATEMENT by Geoconda Argüello-Kline regarding establishing a Primary Election in Nevada (AB126):

ONLINE / TWEET

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Thursday, April 8, 2021 

MEDIA CONTACT:

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

STATEMENT by Geoconda Argüello-Kline regarding establishing a Primary Election in Nevada (AB126):

The Culinary Union supports AB126 which will establish a Primary Election in lieu of a State Caucus. In the 2020 Democratic Presidential Election, the majority of the caucus participants chose to early vote rather than to participate on Caucus Day.  

The Culinary Union hosted an early vote site for the first time in 85 years, for union and community members to participate in this democratic process. Culinary Union mobilized members and their families to vote early. We are proud that over 2,500 Nevadans casted their ballot in 4 days at the Culinary Union early vote site location. In addition, several Las Vegas Strip casinos hosted 24-hour voting sites, which gave workers the option to vote during their shift.

AB126, promotes voting accessibility, encourages voters to participate in the Presidential Primary Election, and simplifies the voting process for all voters. Lastly, Nevada is more representative and reflective of the diversity of our country. As Nevada’s largest organization of Black/AAPI/Latinx/immigrant workers, the Culinary Union believes that Nevada’s diverse communities should be the first in selecting a presidential candidate.  

The Culinary Workers Union Local 226 and Bartenders Union Local 165, 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. The Culinary Union has a diverse membership which is 55% women and 45% immigrants. The demographics of Culinary Union members are approximately: 54% Latinx, 18% white, 15% Asian, 12% Black, and less than 1% Indigenous Peoples.  

The Culinary Union urges the Nevada Legislature to support and pass AB126.

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 Black/AAPI/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 which is 55% women and 45% immigrants. The demographics of Culinary Union members are approximately: 54% Latinx, 18% white, 15% Asian, 12% Black, and less than 1% Indigenous Peoples. 

Culinary Union members work as: Guest room attendants, cocktail and food servers, porters, bellmen, cooks, bartenders, laundry and kitchen workers. The Culinary Union has been fighting for working families in Nevada for 86 years. 

CulinaryUnion226.org / @Culinary226 

 ###

More News

More in this section