LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – An off-Strip casino is filling positions as many of their workers go on strike.
Virgin Hotels Las Vegas released a statement saying that “hundreds of individuals” have applied to fill shortages from the Culinary Workers Union strike that began Friday morning. Workers have walked off the job during negotiations of a new contract.
The full statement from Virgin Hotels can be found below:
Virgin Hotels Las Vegas is grateful to the hundreds of individuals who have applied to fill shortages resulting from the Culinary Workers Union 226 (Culinary Union) strike.
Since last Friday, Virgin Hotels Las Vegas has been diligently vetting and processing applications for temporary employment and contract work from hundreds of skilled individuals. Many of these individuals have previously been Culinary Union members when they held positions at other properties in town – before being laid off following the other properties’ closure or acceptance of the Culinary Union’s economic package.
All applicants complete a comprehensive registration form, provide applicable tax information, and acknowledge the temporary nature of the role. Many are known to us as the friends and family of current employees.
The Culinary Union’s allegations that the individuals seeking to work with us are dishonest, untrained, or otherwise not qualified to work at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, are baseless and wrong. Applicants that Virgin Hotels Las Vegas hires directly as replacements are paid the same wage rates contained in our expired collective bargaining agreement with the Culinary Union.
Culinary Union team members who have exercised their right to strike have been placed on strike leave. Virgin Hotels Las Vegas will not take any action against them or terminate them. Every day of the strike we have been welcoming back more Culinary Union team members who are exercising their right to work.
We remain committed to protecting the well-being of all team members at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, and hope that Culinary Union leaders can prioritize meaningful bargaining and their members’ best interests over maintaining bargaining leverage.
Virgin Hotels Las Vegas is focused on reaching a reasonable agreement with the Culinary Union – an agreement that should be voted on by all Culinary Union members. Let them vote.
Virgin Hotels Las Vegas says employees striking with the Las Vegas Culinary Union have been placed on strike leave, and they are hiring for their spots. (KVVU)
Culinary Union members said they are urging tourists and community partners to not cross the picket line and stay, dine or gamble at Virgin. A statement from Culinary Union’s Ted Pappageorge is below:
The contract at Virgin Las Vegas expired on June 1, 2023 and workers are fighting for a new contract that secures a better future for their families, that’s why the Culinary Union has called for a strike at the Virgin Las Vegas on Friday, November 15th and urges Las Vegas locals and customers to not cross the strike line in solidarity with the workers. In negotiations, the company’s proposal works out to an estimated $0.30 per year to wages over five years after deducting money for benefits, compared to non-tipped workers at The Strat, who received over $4.00 an hour in wage increases this year alone! 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. Workers at Virgin Las Vegas deserve a first-class contract with fair wage increases, and they are organized and ready to strike for it. As Virgin Las Vegas workers go on strike, the Culinary Union has their back every step of the way and we will win. Culinary Union celebrates our 89-year anniversary this year and we know first-hand the organizing and militancy it has taken to build Nevada’s middle class and what it takes to ensure working families can thrive. Nothing in our nine decades has been easily won and our good jobs weren’t simply handed to us. We made hospitality jobs in Las Vegas family-sustaining jobs with decades of sacrifice and strength, and we will continue to win what workers deserve – a great union job with fair wages, job security, and the best health care benefits so that Virgin Las Vegas workers can thrive.
The strike comes right before the Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix, which is set for Saturday, Nov. 23. A Culinary Union spokesperson said there are no negotiations currently scheduled with the resort.
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