CONVERSATION: Culinary Union member x Congressman Steven Horsford

Today, a Culinary Union member and tipped hospitality worker will attend the State of the Union Address in Washington, DC, at the U.S. Capitol as a guest of U.S. Representative Steven Horsford (D-Nev., CD-4). Congressman Horsford recently re-introduced the Tipped Income Protection and Support (TIPS) Act in Congress, which would end taxes on tips and eliminate the sub-minimum wage around the country. Congressman Horsford and Culinary Union member Yolanda Garcia, a tipped fountain worker at Resorts World Las Vegas and Culinary Union member for 10 years, recently sat down to have a conversation regarding no taxes on tips and the TIPS Act. Video of the conversation is available here. Congressman Horsford recently posted on social media: “I am thrilled to have @Culinary226 member Yolanda as my official guest at tomorrow’s Joint Address. Her firsthand experience as a tipped worker highlights exactly why I’ve introduced the TIPS Act.” https://www.culinaryunion226.org/news/press/culinary-union-member-attends-state-of-union-rep-horsford

LIVESTREAM: TIPS Act roundtable with Congressman Steven Horsford

Culinary Union hosted a press conference on Thursday, February 20, 2025 at 9:00am at the Culinary Academy of Las Vegas, where tipped hospitality workers voiced their support for the Tipped Income Protection and Support (TIPS) Act, recently introduced by U.S. Representative Steven Horsford (D-Nev., CD-4). The Culinary Union applauds Congressman Steven Horsford for his leadership in re-introducing the Tipped Income Protection and Support (TIPS) Act and urges its swift passage in Congress. Eliminating taxes on tips and ending the $2.13 sub-minimum wage, along with going after big corporation’s price gouging on food, gas, and housing must be part of an overall program to tackle the high cost of living for working families. It's outrageous that many companies across the country still pay tipped workers as little as $2.13 an hour. The legislation that Congressman Horsford is championing will uplift millions of workers, including many in Nevada, by eliminating federal income taxes on tips and ending the sub-minimum wage. Congressman Horsford understands the unique struggles and challenges that hospitality workers face daily. His firsthand experience working alongside these workers for a decade at the Culinary Academy of Las Vegas uniquely positions him to champion this vital legislation, which will benefit nearly 6 million workers nationwide, particularly those making less than $37,000 a year. Culinary Union is proud that hospitality workers have a strong voice in Congress with Senator Jacky Rosen and Congressman Horsford, who are former Culinary Union members, along with Congressional representatives Dina Titus and Susie Lee who have also joined the TIPS Act legislation as co-signers, and Senator Catherine Cortez Masto who has been a leader on this issue in the Senate. Culinary Union urges all elected officials in Nevada and across the country to join in supporting this crucial pro-worker TIPS Act legislation. For over 30 years, the Culinary Union has fought for fair wages, defeated efforts to implement a sub-minimum wage in Nevada and six other states, and advocated for fair taxation on tips for hundreds of thousands of workers in Nevada. Now, it’s time for the entire nation to follow Nevada’s lead to eliminate the sub-minimum wage, ensure that workers receive a fair wage, and end taxes on tips so one job is enough for workers to support their families.

TRAINING: Know Your Rights (English)

On February 26, 2025 The Culinary and Bartenders Unions Legal Service Fund hosted a free virtual class on Immigration Information & Updates training on Knowing Your Rights to protect yourself, your family, and your co-workers. The Culinary and Bartenders Unions Legal Service Fund will be hosting free virtual classes on Immigration Information & Updates. Classes are limited to the first 500 attendees on Zoom. Attend an upcoming free virtual Immigration Information & Updates class: *Wednesday, May 7, 2025 at 10am-12pm *Wednesday, September 24, 2025 at 10am-12pm 🔗 Culinary Union will send out a text a day before the class with the Zoom link to attend. Know your rights to protect yourself, your family, and your co-workers. If ICE comes to your home, you have the right to: See a warrant BEFORE you open the door. You have the right to refuse to allow ICE or police to enter your home unless the officers show a court warrant signed by a judicial officer (usually a judge). A warrant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security is never enough! You have the right to ask ICE to slide the warrant under the door so you can inspect it. You do not have to open the door until they do. If it is an arrest warrant, it must be signed by a judicial officer and have your name on it. If it is a search warrant, it must be signed by a judicial officer and have the exact address of your home. If you open the door to ICE without a court warrant, this may be seen as giving “consent” to have your home entered and searched. Remain silent. Present the Rights Card at the end of this booklet to officers. If you talk about your immigration status, your country of origin or how you got to the U.S., this information could be used against you. NOTE: ICE agents can and do lie in order to gain entrance to your home. If you are stopped in your car: You have the right to remain silent, to speak to your attorney, to leave if you are not being arrested or detained, and to not sign anything without speaking to your attorney. If you are the driver of the vehicle, you may be required to show your license, registration and proof of insurance. Take note of which kind of law enforcement agent has stopped you (sheriff, city or county police, state trooper, or immigration officer), and the name and badge number of the agent. Remember: Presenting false documents or false identification can lead to serious legal consequences. If ICE comes to your workplace or stops you in public, you have the right to: Remain silent and not provide information that can be used against you. Lying or providing false information can have very serious consequences. Speak to an attorney. By speaking to an attorney before you answer questions, you can make informed decisions about what to say and what information to provide. Not sign any document ICE presents to you. You have the right to speak with an attorney before signing anything. Leave if you are not being detained. You have the right to ask the ICE officer if you are being detained or are free to go. If you are not being detained, you have the right to walk away. Stay calm and do not run. NOTE: In case of an ICE raid in your workplace, contact your union rep or shop steward immediately. Legal disclaimer: The information in this communication or booklet is not intended as legal advice. For more information, contact an attorney or immigrant support organization in your area 🔗 Solidarity Resources: Know Your Rights: https://www.culinaryunion226.org/members/rights

Virgin Las Vegas tries to take down the strike line AGAIN, workers continue 24/7 strike!

Eight weeks into the strike on January 6, the company once again tried to dismantle parts of the strike line. For the first time in more than two decades, the Culinary Union is leading its longest strike, taking workers at Virgin Las Vegas out in an open-ended strike that began November 15th at 5:00am as workers continue fighting for a new 5-year union contract for 700 hospitality workers. Since the strike began, hundreds of striking workers and union members have maintained 24/7 picket lines at every entrance and exit along Harmon Avenue and Paradise Road around the casino property. COMING TO LAS VEGAS AND PLANNING TO STAY AT VIRGIN LAS VEGAS? Ahead of Fancy Food Show (January 19-21), World of Concrete Expo (January 21-23), AVN Adult Entertainment Expo (Jan 22-25), The ARA Show (January 30-February 1), 2025 Academic Surgical Congress (February 11-13), CHAMPS Trade Show (February 12-15), Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (February 25-27), Exchange 2025 (March 23-26), Bar & Restaurant Expo (March 24-26), Directions North America 2025 (April 7-9), EDC/Electric Daisy Carnival (May 16-18), and SEIICon (July 14-16), the Culinary Union is asking locals, elected officials, political candidates, conferences/conventions, and tourists to support hospitality workers by not patronizing the Virgin Las Vegas during the strike. Culinary and Bartenders Unions strikers are from all major areas of operations at Virgin Las Vegas, including housekeeping, food and beverage departments, and the following unionized restaurants: Casa Calavera, Funny Library Coffee Shop, Juice Bar, The Bar at Commons Club, The Kitchen at Commons Club, and The Shag Room. Virgin Hotels is a lifestyle hospitality brand that Sir Richard Branson's global Virgin Group has pioneered for over 50 years. Virgin Hotels Las Vegas is owned by the LiUNA Pension Fund of Eastern and Central Canada (LPFCEC), Fengate Asset Management, and Juniper Capital. LPFCEC, based in Oakville, Ontario, has over C$11 billion in assets; over 150,000 members in Ontario, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland & Labrador, and Prince Edward Island; and over 27,500 pensioners and beneficiaries. Fengate, with offices in Toronto and Houston, is a real asset and growth equity investor in North America. Juniper, headed by managing partners Jay Wolf, Alex Krys, and Armand Reale, makes direct investments in real estate and advises a variety of institutional clients with a focus on value creation. In August, Nuveen Green Capital, a subsidiary of Nuveen and a TIAA company, agreed to give Virgin Las Vegas $190 million in financing. TIAA serves non-profit institutions & their employees. Nuveen manages assets for clients including its parent company TIAA.

BBQ night @ VirginLV strike line

Last week, Culinary Union hosted a BBQ on the picket line with music, & food. @VirginHotelsLV workers are strong and they will stay out on strike until they win a contract that respects their contributions and values their hard work.

Virgin Las Vegas tries to take down the strike line, workers are resolved to continue 24/7 strike

Thursday, December 26, 2024: Day 42 of the on-going strike at Virgin Las Vegas: The day after Christmas, VirginLV strikers were once again confronted with the company’s blatant disrespect and contempt for its workers when VirginLV management and company security tore down and took picket signs and banners in a desperate attempt to dismantle parts of the strike line. -- For the first time in over 22 years, the Culinary Union is leading its longest-lasting strike in more than two decades, taking workers at Virgin Las Vegas out in an open-ended strike that began November 15th at 5:00am as workers continue fighting for a new 5-year union contract for 700 hospitality workers. Since the strike began, hundreds of striking workers and union members have maintained 24/7 picket lines at every entrance and exit along Harmon Avenue and Paradise Road around the casino property.

STRIKEmas party @virginhotelslasvegas

🪧 Virgin Las Vegas ON STRIKE! On the 30th day of Culinary Union’s longest strike in over two decades, Culinary Union hosted a STRIKEmas party with live music, delicious food, and plenty of holiday cheer for strikers on the Virgin Las Vegas picket line. Culinary Union members continue fighting for a new 5-year union contract for 700 hospitality workers. The STRIKEmas festivities takes place as the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) pledge to stand with strikers: “We stand in full support of the Culinary Union workers on strike at Virgin Las Vegas. As a union of professional football players, solidarity with the labor movement is central to our values. Over the years, we’ve received invaluable support from UNITE HERE and other unions, and we proudly extend our support when called upon. We stand with the Culinary Union in their fight for a fair contract. Until the strike is resolved, we commit to not sleep, eat, or drink at Virgin Las Vegas and encourage our fans and fellow athletes to do the same.” -- For the first time in over 22 years, the Culinary Union has launched its longest-lasting strike in more than two decades, taking workers at Virgin Las Vegas out in an open-ended strike that began November 15th at 5:00am as workers continue fighting for a new 5-year union contract for 700 hospitality workers. Since the strike began, hundreds of striking workers and union members have maintained 24/7 picket lines at every entrance and exit along Harmon Avenue and Paradise Road around the casino property. Culinary Union is urging tourists and community allies to *not* cross the strike line at the Virgin Las Vegas and encourages customers to cancel their reservation, check out of the property, choose a union accommodation on FairHotel.org and eat at union restaurants on UnionEats.org

March to Virgin Las Vegas

On December 7, 2024, the 23rd day of Culinary Union’s longest strike in over two decades, hundreds of Culinary Union strikers and their families marched on Virgin Las Vegas and tell VirginLV’s billionaire Canadian owners: Take your 3 dimes back to Canada! For the first time in over 22 years, the Culinary Union has launched its longest-lasting strike in more than two decades, taking workers at Virgin Las Vegas out in an open-ended strike that began November 15th at 5:00am as workers continue fighting for a new 5-year union contract for 700 hospitality workers. Since the strike began, hundreds of striking workers and union members have maintained 24/7 picket lines at every entrance and exit along Harmon Avenue and Paradise Road around the casino property. Culinary Union families are making it clear to those big Canadian billionaires trying to walk all over workers in Nevada – take your 3 dimes and go back to Canada if you can’t meet the Las Vegas union standards. Culinary Union is urging tourists and community allies to *not* cross the strike line at the Virgin Las Vegas and encourages customers to cancel their reservation, check out of the property, choose a union accommodation on FairHotel.org and eat at union restaurants on UnionEats.org Virgin Las Vegas workers are on strike for a fair union contract! The company is hiring scabs to replace union workers. A scab is a strikebreaker who crosses the picket line to work at Virgin Las Vegas. Culinary Union members: Our union constitution has language that protects Virgin Las Vegas workers who are on strike by allowing scabs to be expelled from the union! DON’T BE A SCAB BY CROSSING THE VIRGIN LAS VEGAS PICKET LINE! Stand with workers on strike, fighting to win a better future.

“A Strike Song (VirginLV)" - A parody of Shaboozey’s song “A Bar Song (Tipsy)"

Culinary Union releases “A Strike Song (VirginLV),” a parody of Shaboozey’s record-breaking song “A Bar Song (Tipsy),” calls on artist to stand with strikers by canceling December 11th Virgin Hotels Las Vegas concert during NFR - Listen to new song: “A Strike Song (VirginLV)” on Instagram, Soundcloud, or Youtube Las Vegas, NV – Nearly four weeks into the strike at Virgin Las Vegas, Culinary Union has released “A Strike Song (VirginLV),” a parody song of Shaboozey’s record-breaking hit, “A Bar Song (Tipsy),” and calls on the artist to cancel his Virgin Hotels Las Vegas concert on Wednesday, December 11th during the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas. Inspired by the record-breaking song that has been the longest-running No.1 hit of the decade, a Virgin Las Vegas striker and Culinary Union member recorded a parody version which has become a rallying cry for the hundreds of hospitality workers who are on strike to win a new union contract. “Shaboozey’s music has inspired millions, but performing at Virgin Las Vegas would undermine the workers fighting for their livelihoods,” said Ted Pappageorge, Secretary-Treasurer for the Culinary Union. “We’re asking him to stand with working families on strike by canceling his December 11th show at the casino. As ‘A Strike Song (VirginLV)’ reminds us: ‘Don’t you know? When we fight, we win! Ain’t no power like the power of the union.’ Shaboozey’s support could send a powerful message to Virgin Las Vegas and its billionaire Canadian owners that workers deserve respect and a new union contract. Crossing a picket line is wrong and puts anyone who does on the side of a greedy corporation forcing workers to strike during the holidays in their fight for a better future. Culinary Union urges Shaboozey to show solidarity with the workers who keep Las Vegas running and to stand on the right side of history.” “I’m on strike because workers at Virgin Las Vegas deserve better – we’ve worked hard for this company and it’s time they respect our value,” said Carly Greathouse, a hostess at the Commons Kitchen on strike at the Virgin Las Vegas who recorded “A Strike Song (VirginLV). “It’s not fair that workers on the Las Vegas Strip are getting higher wages while we’re expected to work and work, but not have any real wage increases. Virgin Las Vegas should invest in us – their reliable, loyal, and hardworking employees – instead of hiring scabs. Like the song says, ‘Solidarity, respect. We ain’t scabbin’ for a check…We’ll be out here ‘til we win.’ We’re strong, we’re powerful, and my message to customers and Shaboozey is to support us by staying out of Virgin Las Vegas while we are on strike. My co-workers and I will stay out here until we win because we believe in solidarity, respect, and winning a union contract so that one job is enough.” LYRICS (Excerpt): “A Strike Song (VirginLV)” - His baby want a Birkin, so the concert must go on Bad luck to cross a picket line, we're out here all night long Gotta feed our families, but Boozey's greed is strong Las Vegas is a union town, fair contract’s what we want “One, here comes the two to the three to the four Tell ’em ‘Bring your coworkers,’ there’s always room for more Party on the picket line, that’s our dance floor Strike’s on, for sure! Everybody walk out, street’s callin’ Don’t you know? When we fight, we win! Ain’t no power like the power of the union Hotel workers on strike at the Virgin … Solidarity, respect We ain’t scabbin’ for a check Tell Virgin we ain't forget (oh yeah) A.M. to the P.M. We’ll be out here ‘til we win Tell your family, tell your friends (oh yeah)” For the first time in over 22 years, the Culinary Union is leading its longest-lasting strike in more than two decades, taking workers at Virgin Las Vegas out in an open-ended strike that began November 15th at 5:00am as workers continue fighting for a new 5-year union contract for 700 hospitality workers. Since the strike began, hundreds of striking workers and union members have maintained 24/7 picket lines at every entrance and exit along Harmon Avenue and Paradise Road around the casino property. https://www.culinaryunion226.org/news/press/culinary-union-hotel-workers-on-strike-at-the-virgin-shaboozeys-a-bar-song-tipsy-calls-on-artist-to-stand-with-strikers-by-canceling-concert-nfr

Civil Disobedience @virginhotelslasvegas

Civil Disobedience @ Virgin Las Vegas - One week into the Culinary Union’s first open-ended strike in 22 years, 57 Culinary Union members and striking workers from Virgin Las Vegas were arrested in an act of peaceful civil disobedience. The labor demonstration drew hundreds of striking workers and union members, who have maintained 24/7 picket lines at every entrance and exit along Harmon Avenue and Paradise Road in front of the property since hundreds of workers went on strike on November 15, 2024, in the fight to win a new 5-year union contract for over 700 hospitality workers at Virgin Las Vegas. Culinary Union is urging tourists and community allies to *not* cross the strike line at the Virgin Las Vegas and encourages customers to cancel their reservation, check out of the property, choose a union accommodation on FairHotel.org and eat at union restaurants on UnionEats.org