STATEMENT by Geoconda Argüello-Kline regarding paid leave for workers to get the COVID-19 vaccine (SB209)

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

March 22, 2021

MEDIA CONTACT:

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

STATEMENT by Geoconda Argüello-Kline regarding paid leave for workers to get the COVID-19 vaccine (SB209)

The Culinary Union supports Senate Bill 209 because it expands the types of activities and reasons for employees to request paid time off, including time off for vaccinations. Providing workers paid leave to get the COVID-19 vaccine would create safer and healthier workplaces and get more hospitality workers back to work. 

In addition, requiring the Legislative Committee on Health Care to conduct a study regarding the long-term health implications of COVID-19 on casino and hospitality workers is necessary at a time when the long-term effects of COVID-19 are still unknown. This study would allow the Culinary Union to identify the future health care needs of Culinary Union members and their immediate family who have contracted COVID-19.  

The Culinary Union urges the Nevada Legislature to support and pass SB209.

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 Latinx/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  

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