Virgin Las Vegas culinary workers have ended their two-month strike after being able to secure a new five-year contract. Thus ends one of the longest labor disputes in Sin City over the past several decades. While the full details of the agreement remain undisclosed, union officials revealed that it includes significant pay increases, potentially mirroring the 32% wage boost secured by other union members across the city.
The Culinary Workers Union Local 226 and Bartenders Union Local 165 announced the new deal that will help approximately 700 workers at Virgin Las Vegas . The Union itself represents about 60,000 workers in Nevada. The strike had garnered widespread attention, with union members maintaining round-the-clock picket lines near the hotel, which is just a short walk from the Las Vegas Strip. At one point, workers blocked traffic to push their demands, leading to several arrests.
Union Secretary and Treasurer, Ted Pappageorge, stated that “Workers at Virgin Hotels would not accept a second-class contract.” The end of the strike comes as Virgin Las Vegas enters a transition in management. The Nevada Gaming Commission recently approved a new operator to take over the operation of the casino from the Mohegan tribe based in Connecticut. The tribe operates one of the largest and most successful gambling operations in the country, the Mohegan Sun.
Boasting two unique casinos, Mohegan Sun is also host to the Kids Quest/Cyber Quest family entertainment facility, two luxurious spas, world-class meeting facilities, a state-of-the-art Poker Room as well as three major entertainment venues with seating from 350 to 10,000.