Culinary Union announces endorsements in the Nevada Primary for SD3 and AD17 -
Las Vegas, NV – Ahead of the filing deadline, the Culinary Union held a press conference with dozens of Culinary Union members outside the Clark County Government Center on Wednesday, March 13, 2024, to announce the endorsements of Geoconda Hughes for Senate District 3 and Linda Hunt for Assembly District 17 in the 2024 Nevada Primary. “The Nevada Legislature worked with big casino companies to get rid of our daily room cleaning law, which hurt the guest room attendants who are the backbone of our union and our political program. Disappointingly, Senator Marilyn Dondero Loop and Senator Rochelle Nguyen are two Democrats that led that fight. Senator Loop isn’t up for re-election this year, but Senator Nguyen is and that’s why the Culinary Union is proud to endorse Geoconda Hughes for Senate District 3. Geo is a Culinary Union kid who grew up on the picket line and she is the daughter of the former Culinary Union Secretary-Treasurer Geoconda Argüello-Kline. She worked with our union to lower the cost of insulin and she fought with her co-workers to keep essential frontline health care workers protected during the pandemic. The Culinary Union is proud to endorse Geo Hughes and to make sure that government serves Nevadans and not the powerful,” said Ted Pappageorge, Secretary-Treasurer for the Culinary Union. “The Culinary Union has been committed for decades to elect political leaders who represent Culinary Union members. President Biden, Senator Jacky Rosen, and Congressional representatives Dina Titus, Steven Horsford, Susie Lee, and local officials have been working hard to protect workers, but unfortunately all Republicans and some local Nevada Democrats (including folks who grew up on Culinary Health insurance) sided with these giant corporations instead of working families. We have a long history of Culinary Union members and close allies running for office because that is the only way working people in Nevada are going to win what we deserve - if we run more working-class people for office. We don't need more lawyers and management-types in the Nevada Legislature and that’s why we are proud to endorse Linda Hunt for Assembly District 17. Linda is a dedicated shop steward and food server in Downtown Las Vegas, and she is a 45-year Culinary Union member who has been fighting for decades to ensure that working families are protected and we continue our long history of electing Culinary Union members to office.” More information: https://www.culinaryunion226.org/news/press/culinary-union-announces-endorsements-in-the-nevada-primary-for-sd3-and-ad17
Fighting and Winning (2023)
As the Culinary Union continues organizing to protect working families in Nevada, we are proud to debut a new video: “FIGHTING & WINNING,” which highlights many of the incredible campaigns and victories won last year. We’ve averted a historic citywide strike and won the biggest wage increases and the best contract ever in our 89-year history, totaling $3 billion for over 50,000 workers. But make no mistake - those victories were not handed to us. No victory in our union’s history is ever guaranteed. It took over 2 years of preparation, 10 months of relentless negotiations, lots of hard work, committee meetings, and sleepless nights. Tens of thousands of workers participated in rallies, protests, civil disobedience, picketing, surveys, picket sign making, strike voting, and delegations inside the properties. Many workers sacrificed and organized to win a better future for our families and we are proud to stand with you everyday. From organizing and direct action to political advocacy, the Culinary Union remains a powerful force for workers in Nevada. Join us as we celebrate another year of changing lives. Watch new video: “FIGHTING & WINNING”
Culinary Union urges the Las Vegas Raiders to do the right thing -
Culinary Union requests card check neutrality agreements for non-union workers at Allegiant Stadium, urges the Las Vegas Raiders to do the right thing - Las Vegas, NV – Ahead of Superbowl LVIII, the Culinary Union has sent a letter to the Las Vegas Raiders requesting that the team support labor peace as workers demand the right to organize after non-union workers at Allegiant Stadium approached the Culinary and Bartenders Unions about unionizing. Card check neutrality, where employers remain neutral and respect their employee’s choice whether to unionize without intimidation, fear tactics, retaliation, harassment, or bullying, has been the standard in Las Vegas for hundreds of thousands of Culinary Union members in nearly 90 years. “Low wages are not the only way in which Allegiant Stadium’s non-union workforce lags behind the Las Vegas standard. Union workers, including Levy workers at Allegiant Stadium who are unionized, have free family Culinary Union health benefits, a pension, job security, and many other benefits on top of the fair wage they are paid,” said Ted Pappageorge, Secretary-Treasurer for the Culinary Union. “Stadium cleaners, ushers, ticket-takers, and concession workers deserve to be treated with dignity and respect at Allegiant Stadium. The Culinary Union stands in complete support with the non-union workers at Allegiant Stadium as they demand the right to organize and win a better future for themselves and their families and calls on the Las Vegas Raiders to take responsibility and do the right thing for these workers. The Culinary Union urges the Las Vegas Raiders, who got $750 million of taxpayers money to build their stadium, to support workers in their call for a fair organizing process.” “I'm fighting for fair pay for cashiers like me. We've been making $13 for years, and in the 4 years I've worked at Allegiant Stadium, we haven't seen a raise and that's not fair. I can't wait for the union to come in. I love my job, and the Raiders are my football team, but we need fair treatment,” said Vickey Powell, Levy cashier at Allegiant Stadium for nearly 4 years. “I'm not just fighting for myself; I take care of my kids, grandchildren, niece, and nephews. It's tough because one job should be enough, but low pay makes it hard to keep other workers, and they leave. We deserve fair pay, respect, and acknowledgment of our struggles.”
Press conference: #OneJobShouldBeEnough for non-union workers at Allegiant Stadium!
Culinary Union requests card check neutrality agreements for non-union workers at Allegiant Stadium, urges the Las Vegas Raiders to do the right thing - Las Vegas, NV – Ahead of Superbowl LVIII, the Culinary Union has sent a letter to the Las Vegas Raiders requesting that the team support labor peace as workers demand the right to organize after non-union workers at Allegiant Stadium approached the Culinary and Bartenders Unions about unionizing. Card check neutrality, where employers remain neutral and respect their employee’s choice whether to unionize without intimidation, fear tactics, retaliation, harassment, or bullying, has been the standard in Las Vegas for hundreds of thousands of Culinary Union members in nearly 90 years. “Low wages are not the only way in which Allegiant Stadium’s non-union workforce lags behind the Las Vegas standard. Union workers, including Levy workers at Allegiant Stadium who are unionized, have free family Culinary Union health benefits, a pension, job security, and many other benefits on top of the fair wage they are paid,” said Ted Pappageorge, Secretary-Treasurer for the Culinary Union. “Stadium cleaners, ushers, ticket-takers, and concession workers deserve to be treated with dignity and respect at Allegiant Stadium. The Culinary Union stands in complete support with the non-union workers at Allegiant Stadium as they demand the right to organize and win a better future for themselves and their families and calls on the Las Vegas Raiders to take responsibility and do the right thing for these workers. The Culinary Union urges the Las Vegas Raiders, who got $750 million of taxpayers money to build their stadium, to support workers in their call for a fair organizing process.” “I'm fighting for fair pay for cashiers like me. We've been making $13 for years, and in the 4 years I've worked at Allegiant Stadium, we haven't seen a raise and that's not fair. I can't wait for the union to come in. I love my job, and the Raiders are my football team, but we need fair treatment,” said Vickey Powell, Levy cashier at Allegiant Stadium for nearly 4 years. “I'm not just fighting for myself; I take care of my kids, grandchildren, niece, and nephews. It's tough because one job should be enough, but low pay makes it hard to keep other workers, and they leave. We deserve fair pay, respect, and acknowledgment of our struggles.” https://www.culinaryunion226.org/news/press/culinary-union-requests-card-check-neutrality-agreements-for-non-union-workers-at-allegiant-stadium-urges-the-las-vegas-raiders-to-do-the-right-thing
BREAKING: Tentative agreement reached with the Strat!
BREAKING: The Culinary Union is pleased to announce a Tentative Agreement on a new 5-year contract was just reached w/@stratvegas for over 700 hospitality workers. Congratulations to the Strat workers on winning the BEST CONTRACT EVER! Negotiations for the BEST CONTRACT EVER continue with 17 remaining Strip Independent & Downtown Las Vegas casino properties for ~5,200 workers ahead of the February 2, 2024 at 5:00am strike deadline. #OneJobShouldBeEnough
Culinary Union celebrates historic union contracts won with Vice-President Kamala Harris
Culinary Union celebrates historic union contracts won with Vice-President Kamala Harris, continues fighting for 7,700 hospitality workers employed at 23 casinos in Nevada - Las Vegas, NV – Culinary Union was proud to mark the historic and hard-fought union contracts won for over 40,000 hospitality workers in Las Vegas by hosting a celebration with Vice-President of the United States of America Kamala Harris at the Culinary Union HQ and hundreds of Culinary Union members. Also in attendance for the event was Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff, Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su, Senators Catherine Cortez Masto and Jacky Rosen, Congressional Representatives Dina Titus, Steven Horsford, and Susie Lee, Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford, and other elected leaders. “At Culinary 226, you are setting a new standard for workers everywhere of what they now know — because they know the story of what happened here — what they now know is possible, is reasonable, is right, is achievable,” said Vice President Kamala Harris. “So, I came back to say thank you because the work that you have done is, yes about the members of this storied union, but you in the larger movement for workers in America are setting new standards and it is making a difference." “With President Biden and Vice President Harris in office, workers that know we've got backup and political leadership that values working families, and that's just it's a big deal for us. It gives us hope and strength,” said Ted Pappageorge, Secretary-Treasurer for the Culinary Union. “We have won historic contracts for 40,000 workers, but we aren’t done fighting yet. We will be setting strike deadlines very soon for nearly 8,000 hospitality workers so that they and their families aren’t left behind from the economic recovery companies are enjoying. Companies are well and workers must win our fair share - we will be fighting very hard to win the best contract ever so that one job is enough!” “We had tough negotiations with the big three casino companies that took 8 months, but we fought hard and won historic wage increases that will help us to support our families and it will help future generations. By the end of this new five year contract, the average Culinary Union member will be earning about $37 an hour including our benefits which is amazing! We are not done yet and we support our brothers and sisters until we win all contracts,” said Elena Newman, guest room attendant at the Mandalay Bay and Culinary Union member for 20 years. “President Biden and Vice President Harris are the most pro-worker elected leaders that we have ever had and we love to see it.” MORE: https://www.culinaryunion226.org/news/press/culinary-union-celebrates-historic-union-contracts-won-with-vice-president-kamala-harris
¡No hemos terminado de luchar!
¡VICTORIA! Después de 7 meses de intensas negociaciones y bajo la amenaza inminente de la mayor huelga de trabajadores de la hostelería en la historia de EE.UU., La Unión Culinaria y Cantineros han acordado contratos para 40.000 trabajadores sindicalizados de la hostelería en Las Vegas. Mientras la unión más grande de Nevada celebra su 88 aniversario de luchar y ganar por las familias trabajadoras de Nevada, La Unión Culinaria organizó votaciones de ratificación exitosas para los trabajadores de MGM Resorts, Caesars Entertainment y Wynn Resorts antes de la celebración de Acción de Gracias. Pero aún no hemos terminado, ¡todavía quedan más contratos por conseguir! La Unión Culinaria está negociando activamente un nuevo contrato de cinco años para 10.000 trabajadores de hospitalidad de 24 casinos independientes del Strip y del centro de Las Vegas. Vea el nuevo vídeo: ¡No hemos terminado de luchar!
We're not done fighting!
🎉 VICTORY! After 7 months of intense negotiations and under the looming threat of the largest hospitality worker strike in U.S. history, the Culinary and Bartenders Unions have settled contracts for 40,000 unionized hospitality workers in Las Vegas. As Nevada’s largest union celebrates its 88-year anniversary of fighting and winning for working families in Nevada, the Culinary Union hosted successful ratification votes for MGM Resorts, Caesars Entertainment, and Wynn Resorts workers ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday. But we are not done yet, as there are more contracts to go! Culinary Union is in active negotiations for 10,000 hospitality workers employed at 24 Strip Independent and Downtown Las Vegas casino resorts for a new five-year contract. 🎥 Watch the new video: We're not done fighting!
Victory! Tentative agreement reached with MGM Resorts, Caesars Entertainment, & Wynn Resorts!
Victory! Tentative agreement reached with MGM Resorts, Caesars Entertainment, & Wynn Resorts - After settling union contracts for 40,000 hospitality workers, the Culinary Union celebrates historic wins for working families in Nevada secured in the best contract ever won with MGM Resorts, Caesars Entertainment, and Wynn Resorts. In negotiations, the Culinary and Bartenders Unions have won a greater measure of security for workers including: *Winning the largest wage increases ever negotiated in the history of the Culinary Union. *Reducing workload and steep housekeeping room quotas, daily room cleaning, and establishing the right for guest room attendants to securely work in set areas. *Providing the best on-the-job safety protections for all classifications, including safety committees, expanding the use of safety buttons to more workers, penalties if safety buttons don’t work, enforcing mandatory room checks for employee and public safety, and tracking sexual harassment, assault, and criminal behavior by customers. *Strengthening existing technology protections to guarantee advanced notification when new technology is introduced, which would impact jobs, require training for new jobs created by technology, health care and severance pay for workers who are laid off because of new technology, the right to privacy from tracking technology introduced by companies, notice of third-party data sharing workers have generated through their work, and the right to bargain over technology that tracks the location of employees or messaging between workers. *Extending recall rights so that workers have more job security and have the right to return to their jobs in the event of another pandemic or economic crisis for up to three-years. *Making clear that the no-strike clause does not prevent the Culinary Union from taking action, including picketing and leafleting in support of non-union restaurants workers on the casino property. We aren't done fighting for workers yet as there are 24 more contracts to go! 24 casino-resort companies are still under a contract extension: *Las Vegas Strip: Circus Circus, Four Seasons, Hilton Grand Vacations, Mirage, Rio, Sahara Las Vegas, Strat, Treasure Island, Tropicana, Trump Hotel Las Vegas, Virgin Hotels, Waldorf Astoria, and Westgate. *Downtown Las Vegas: Binion’s, Circa, Downtown Grand, El Cortez, Four Queens, Fremont, Golden Gate, Golden Nugget, Main Street, The D Casino, and Plaza. *VIDEO from November 10, 2023 press conference.*
MGM Grand Detroit ON STRIKE (English & Spanish)
UNITE HERE members at MGM Grand Detroit, as part of the Detroit Casino Council, walked out on strike Tuesday, October 17 after the strike deadline passed and MGM Resorts failed to settle a fair contract. CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS UPDATE from Secretary-Treasurer and Chief Negotiator, Ted Pappageorge. — ¡LOS TRABAJADORES DE MGM RESORTS EN HUELGA EN EL MGM GRAND DETROIT! Los miembros de UNITE HERE en el MGM Grand Detroit, como parte del Consejo de Casinos de Detroit, se declararon en huelga el martes 17 de octubre después de que el plazo de huelga venciera y MGM Resorts no llegara a un acuerdo sobre un contrato justo.