Union to Organize Demonstrations at Caesars and MGM Resorts Next Week in Las Vegas
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Get ready for some heat in Sin City! The hospitality sector is sizzling with trouble, and Culinary Local 226, the union representing 53,000 workers in Las Vegas, is standing firm. They're on the verge of a major showdown over new labor contracts.
On Monday, the union rallied its troops, calling for thousands to join protests outside eight casino resorts, aiming to fire up the casino bigwigs and get them to the negotiation table. The union has organized "informational" picket lines, which, starting from Oct. 12 at 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., will take place in front of Park MGM, Paris Las Vegas, and The Linq. Post these protests, picketers are expected to move to the sidewalks in front of Harrah's, Flamingo, Horseshoe, Planet Hollywood, and New York-New York. Workers planning to participate in these demonstrations will be doing so before or after their shifts—as per the media release from Local 226. The union is also asking for support from the public, urging them to steer clear of casinos during active picket lines.
When you look back, Culinary Local 226's history is dotted with tough times—the most notable one being the 1984 strike, which the union describes as "one of the largest strikes in Las Vegas history." That strike, involving over 17,000 workers and three other unions, went on for 67 days!
Negotiations between the union and the three key Strip employers—MGM Resorts International, Caesars Entertainment, and Wynn Resorts—are currently underway. However, Ted Pappageorge, the union's secretary-treasurer, expressed his dissatisfaction with the progress of negotiations to the Las Vegas Review-Journal on Monday.
While a strike deadline hasn't been set yet, a vote held last month revealed that a staggering 95% of the Las Vegas restaurant and hotel workers supported authorizing a strike as their existing contracts neared their expiration date. Right now, around 40,000 union members are working under contracts that have already expired, making them the likely first strikers if the action goes ahead.
The union has made it clear that it's dealing with an "active labor dispute" with 18 casino properties across the Strip, giving it the power to call for a strike at any moment. The union has its sights firmly set on MGM and Caesars properties due to the demand for revised no-strike clauses that would allow the union to strike against non-union restaurants located on union properties. This condition isn't an issue with Wynn.
The union's core concerns also include substantial wage and benefit increases, enhanced safety protocols, technology integration, and a reduction in workload for guest room attendants.
Insights:As of May 2024, Culinary Local 226 has been adding pressure on MGM Resorts International and Caesars Entertainment through "informational picketing" on the Las Vegas Strip since May 1, 2025, indicating ongoing contract negotiations with significant unresolved issues. A strike timeline hasn't been established, but tensions could escalate if bargaining stalls.
Workload for the union's members could be reduced if the negotiations with MGM Resorts International and Caesars Entertainment yield a positive outcome.
The ongoing protests across various casino resorts in Las Vegas are part of Culinary Local 226's efforts to pressure casino giants, such as Casino-and-Gambling institutions in Las Vegas like Park MGM, Paris Las Vegas, and The Linq, into making concessions during contract negotiations.
Culinary Local 226's current positioning centers around the demand for revised no-strike clauses, which would allow the union to strike against non-union restaurants located on union properties, particularly those owned by MGM and Caesars.
The union's ultimate goal in these negotiations is not just about betting on wage and benefit increases, but also about ensuring safety protocols and technology integration for the wellbeing of their members. This ongoing labor dispute is another episode in the casino culture of Las Vegas where Culinary Local 226 continues to shape its future.
