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LIVESTREAM: May Day "We Believe in Us" Rally (2025)

May 1, 2025: On International Workers Day, Culinary Union, the largest organization of immigrant workers in Nevada, hosted a “We Believe in Us” rally on the Las Vegas Strip. Over a thousand hospitality workers and community members participated in the rally on Thursday, May 1st, 2025 at 5pm to stand in solidarity with immigrant workers under attack by those who wish to divide and distract us from winning a better future for our families. Culinary Union reminds all workers: Know and assert your rights. You have rights, regardless of your immigration status, and you are not alone. Your union stands with you. https://www.culinaryunion226.org/news/press/culinary-union-hosted-we-believe-in-us-may-day-rally-on-the-las-vegas-strip-over-a-thousand-rallied-in-support-of-immigrant-workers

“We Believe in Us” May Day rally on the Las Vegas Strip

Grand opening of Culinary Health Center - Craig

Culinary Union celebrates the official grand opening of Culinary Health Center - Craig in North Las Vegas Milestone advances vision of four Culinary Health Centers, establishing the Culinary Health Fund as one of the largest primary care providers in Las Vegas. Las Vegas, NV – On Wednesday, April 2, 2025, the Culinary and Bartenders Unions, along with the Culinary Health Fund, proudly hosted the official grand opening for the third cutting-edge Culinary Health Center. The innovative, high-quality Culinary Health Center - Craig facility, which is located in North Las Vegas, will provide increased access to primary and preventive care to tens of thousands of eligible Culinary and Bartenders Union members and their families. “Today is deeply personal for me. In 1990, I was a single dad bartending at the Horseshoe when I went on strike for nine months to protect health care for my two sons. That experience taught me what solidarity truly means - when workers stand together, there’s nothing we can’t win. Since the Culinary Union was founded in 1935, it has been a generational dream to create state-of-the-art facilities like the Culinary Health Centers. Today, with the opening of our third location, we are living that dream. The Culinary Health Center - Craig represents our commitment to provide high-quality, accessible care for workers and their families - right in the heart of a community where over 32,000 Culinary Union members live,” Ted Pappageorge, Secretary-Treasurer for the Culinary Union. “For decades, Culinary Union has fought for and won health care legislation that has expanded access, strengthened patient protections, ended surprise medical bills, lowered costs, increased transparency, and have benefited all Nevadans and our entire state. This facility is built on the courage and sacrifice of tens of thousands of Culinary Union members who walked picket lines and organized for nearly a century to win health care with dignity. With a fourth center opening next year, the Culinary Health Fund is now one of the largest primary care providers in Las Vegas. Culinary Health Centers are a testament to the strength and power of Culinary Union members - guest room attendants, cocktail and food servers, porters, bellmen, cooks, bartenders, laundry and kitchen workers - who have fought for and won a better life for their families through decades of organizing.” Culinary Health Center - Craig is a state-of-the-art medical facility that includes more providers and services to care for hospitality workers and their families. The 97,000-square-foot, two-story health center features advanced medical equipment, a 2-lane drive-through pharmacy, expanded wellness classrooms, and more. Culinary Health Center - Craig was designed to create a positive and relaxing environment for patients with features such as colorful walls and paintings, as well as comfortable seating areas. The facility has 41 primary care rooms, 2 mental health counseling rooms, 15 dental care rooms, and 18 physical therapy evaluation rooms (including chiropractic and acupuncture). It also has a fully-functioning drive-thru pharmacy with 2-lanes, laboratory, physical therapy gym, and wellness classrooms. Radiology services, including x-ray, ultrasound, CT, and bone density tests, are also available at Culinary Health Center – Craig for added convenience to primary care patients. There are no copays for services at Culinary Health Centers, except for dental care. https://www.culinaryunion226.org/news/press/culinary-union-celebrates-the-official-grand-opening-of-culinary-health-center-craig-in-north-las-vegas

Culinary Union celebrates official grand opening of Culinary Health Center - Craig in NLV -

Culinary Union celebrates the official grand opening of Culinary Health Center - Craig in North Las Vegas Milestone advances vision of four Culinary Health Centers, establishing the Culinary Health Fund as one of the largest primary care providers in Las Vegas. Las Vegas, NV – On Wednesday, April 2, 2025, the Culinary and Bartenders Unions, along with the Culinary Health Fund, proudly hosted the official grand opening for the third cutting-edge Culinary Health Center. The innovative, high-quality Culinary Health Center - Craig facility, which is located in North Las Vegas, will provide increased access to primary and preventive care to tens of thousands of eligible Culinary and Bartenders Union members and their families. “Today is deeply personal for me. In 1990, I was a single dad bartending at the Horseshoe when I went on strike for nine months to protect health care for my two sons. That experience taught me what solidarity truly means - when workers stand together, there’s nothing we can’t win. Since the Culinary Union was founded in 1935, it has been a generational dream to create state-of-the-art facilities like the Culinary Health Centers. Today, with the opening of our third location, we are living that dream. The Culinary Health Center - Craig represents our commitment to provide high-quality, accessible care for workers and their families, right in the heart of a community where over 32,000 Culinary Union members live,” Ted Pappageorge, Secretary-Treasurer for the Culinary Union. “For decades, Culinary Union has fought for and won health care legislation that has expanded access, strengthened patient protections, ended surprise medical bills, lowered costs, increased transparency, and have benefited all Nevadans and our entire state. Culinary Health Centers are built on the courage and sacrifice of tens of thousands of Culinary Union members who walked picket lines and organized for nearly a century to win health care with dignity. With a fourth center opening next year, the Culinary Health Fund is now one of the largest primary care providers in Las Vegas. Culinary Health Centers are a testament to the strength and power of Culinary Union members - guest room attendants, cocktail and food servers, porters, bellmen, cooks, bartenders, laundry and kitchen workers - who have fought for and won a better life for their families through decades of organizing.” “3 generations of my family - my mom, myself, and my daughter have benefited from Culinary Health Centers,” said Nancy Garcia, a guest room attendant at Harrah’s Casino, and Culinary Union member for 8 years. “At the Culinary Health Center, I was diagnosed with juvenile arthritis - there’s no cure, but it’s treatable. Thanks to my union health care benefits, I get my medications, appointments, and treatments without having to worry about the cost. When I was first diagnosed, it was scary and I had a lot of questions. The Culinary Health Center doctors and staff were patient with me and kind. They helped me understand I could still live a normal life with treatment. To any Culinary Union member who hasn’t used the Culinary Health Centers yet, I encourage you to go! It’s so convenient. You can get your blood work, see a doctor, and pick up your prescriptions - all in one place. The care is excellent. Everyone is friendly and professional. Being able to use the Health Center is a privilege and I’m so grateful for my union for it!” https://www.culinaryunion226.org/news/press/culinary-union-celebrates-the-official-grand-opening-of-culinary-health-center-craig-in-north-las-vegas

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.