Striking Las Vegas Casino Workers ArrestedWork Stoppage Stretches To Over Two Weeks |
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A strike by workers at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas took a dramatic turn last week with the arrest of 57 employees manning the picket line.
Union members began striking more than two weeks ago. A photo shared from the incident appeared to show striking members blocking a street in front of the hotel.
“Tonight, Culinary Union members, including (union secretary-treasurer) Ted Pappageorge were arrested at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas as workers are on strike for a fair contract,” The Culinary Union posted on Twitter. “The fight for a contract now continues!”
The arrests came after property management constructed temporary exterior walls to keep the striking workers off the property as well as to obstruct the view of the picket lines from casino visitors. Reports noted that the workers have regularly played loud music throughout the strike.
“They tried to make it where they drowned us out, but they just made more noise and brought more attention to us,” server Alain Lopex told KLAS.
Police later reopened the street in front of the casino. Union representatives allege that Virgin management has hired temporary employees “off the street” and are paying them twice as much as what regular workers earn.
The Culinary Union is the largest labor organization in Nevada with about 60,000 members, and is made up of housekeepers, servers, porters, bellhops, and others. Members at Virgin are seeking a new five-year contract that includes better pay and benefits, according to the union. Talks between the two sides broke off earlier this year and saw workers walk off the job.
“The Virgin Las Vegas’ proposal is miles apart and is an insult to every worker — which is why the committee voted unanimously to refuse to settle for a second-class contract,” Pappageorge said. “Workers at Virgin Las Vegas deserve a first-class contract with fair wage increases, and they are organized and ready to strike for it.”
Virgin management said the company offered wage increases during negotiations, but the proposal was rejected.
“Our dedication to our team members’ well-being and achieving sustainable performance at our property remains steadfast,” the company noted in a statement, “and we are fully committed to finding a fair resolution that is in their best interest.”
The strike comes a year after other casino workers at numerous casinos avoided a strike. Casino workers in December saw a work stoppage for more than a month before reaching deals with the city’s three casinos.
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