Las Vegas Room Attendants, Resorts Avoid Strike

MGM Resorts International, the Las Vegas Strip’s largest employer, reached a tentative agreement with the Culinary Workers Union last week, averting a potential strike, according to the Associated Press. This follows a similar deal with Caesars Entertainment, impacting over 30,000 workers, including room attendants.

The union praised the new five-year contracts for significant pay raises and safety improvements. Ted Pappageorge, the union’s secretary-treasurer, hailed the deal as the best in their 88-year history, noting reduced housekeeping workloads and enhanced job security against technological advancements.

As previously reported by CMMOnline.com, these negotiations, ongoing since April, involved workers at properties owned by MGM Resorts, Caesars, and Wynn Resorts.

While specific demands regarding pay raises were not publicly disclosed, union spokesperson Bethany Khan noted that members typically earn an average of US$26 per hour, inclusive of benefits, according to the AP. Union ratification of the contracts is pending.

The tentative agreements are crucial for Las Vegas, especially with the upcoming Formula 1 Grand Prix, which a strike would have impacted significantly. Las Vegas attorney David Edelblute emphasized the strategic timing of the agreement, saying it was important for the region’s reputation and future.