Ongoing Silence in Negotiations Between Virgin Hotels Las Vegas and Striking Workers After Three Days of Protests
Workers at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas have been on strike since November 15, 2024, demanding a new contract and improved benefits that align with the new contracts signed by other resorts last year. The strike, led by the Culinary Workers Union Local 226 and Bartenders Local 165, has persisted through the winter and during major events like the Formula One Las Vegas Grand Prix.
The current strike action is a strategy similar to that used by the Culinary Union members last year, targeting key periods to exert pressure on management. Last year's strike action resulted in new contracts for employees at the Bellagio, Paris Las Vegas, MGM Grand, and Caesars Palace.
However, no talks are currently scheduled between the management of Virgin Hotels Las Vegas and the striking employees. The Culinary Union, which represents around 60,000 casino, hotel, and hospitality workers in Nevada, has been firm in its demands for a contract that respects the contributions and values the hard work of its members.
Virgin management, on the other hand, has accused the Culinary Union of refusing to allow "meaningful negotiations" during contract talks. They deem the requested deal as "economically unsustainable."
Despite the ongoing strike, the casino-hotel near the Las Vegas Strip remains open. The Las Vegas F1 Grand Prix, expected to attract hundreds of thousands of spectators to the area, is due to take place in a week. It remains to be seen how the strike will impact the event or the broader hospitality industry in the region.
The ongoing strike by employees of Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, part of a strategy targeting key periods like the Las Vegas F1 Grand Prix, mirrors the tactics employed by Culinary Union members in the past. This year's strike is aimed at securing a new contract and improved benefits, similar to those obtained by workers at Bellagio, Paris Las Vegas, MGM Grand, and Caesars Palace last year.
