Tens of thousands of Las Vegas Strip hotel workers at 18 casinos could on go strike this month
The labor union representing Las Vegas hotel workers has set a strike deadline
LAS VEGAS — Tens of thousands of Las Vegas hotel workers fighting for new union contracts set a strike deadline Thursday, threatening major disruptions at more than a dozen resorts — the city's economic backbone — that could coincide with the Strip's inaugural Formula 1 races later this month.
The Culinary Workers Union said about 35,000 members whose contracts expired earlier this year are ready and willing to walk off the job if deals aren't reached by Nov. 10 with casino giants MGM Resorts International, Caesars Entertainment and Wynn Resorts.
That's five days before the Las Vegas Grand Prix weekend, which is expected to bring thousands of people to the Strip, is set to kick off with an opening ceremony.
Ted Pappageorge, the union's secretary-treasurer and chief contract negotiator, said at a news conference Thursday that the union and its members hope it doesn’t come to that, but, he said, “workers are prepared, united and ready to strike if necessary.”
Pappageorge also said the union is in “great shape” to provide financial support to striking members.
“We’re going to be able to take care of these workers,” he said.
Nevada's largest labor union, with about 60,000 members statewide, hasn’t gone on strike in decades.
A walkout would be the latest in a series of high-profile labor unrest actions around the country — from walkouts in Hollywood to UPS' contentious negotiations that threatened to disrupt the nation’s supply chain — and would follow hospitality workers walking off the job last month at Detroit's three casinos, including MGM Grand Detroit.
In Las Vegas, the 18 properties that could be impacted by a strike are Aria, Bellagio,
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