Workers Hold Strong as Negotiations Stall Over Pay Dispute

A walkout by hundreds of workers at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas entered its second day on Saturday, as the Culinary Workers Union members remain firm in their demand for better wages and benefits. The strike, which began on Friday, marks the first open-ended walkout in 22 years for the union, which represents approximately 60,000 hospitality workers across Nevada.

The workers, mostly employed in various hospitality roles at the casino, walked off the job in protest over stalled contract negotiations. The strike is a continuation of previous tensions between the union and Virgin Hotels, with workers having staged a 48-hour walkout earlier this year in an attempt to pressure the company into agreeing to a new five-year deal.

Negotiations have largely centered around wage increases and improved benefits, but Virgin Hotels and the union remain at an impasse. The Culinary Union has argued that workers deserve better protections, including higher wages, in the face of rising costs of living and increased job demands. Despite the strike’s financial hardship, union members have expressed their willingness to continue the fight for a fair deal.

The Larger Context: A Year After Narrowly Avoided Strike

This strike comes just one year after a tense standoff in Las Vegas, where tens of thousands of hospitality workers nearly walked off the job in a series of contract negotiations. That showdown occurred just as the city was preparing to host its first-ever Formula One race, putting even more pressure on the industry to reach agreements before the highly anticipated event. At the time, the union secured a roughly 32% pay increase for workers over the life of a new contract, including a 10% increase in the first year. The unions were able to secure similar agreements for other hotel-casinos on the Strip and surrounding areas, but Virgin Hotels was left out.

Unlike other major resorts along the Strip, which quickly negotiated favorable deals last year, Virgin Hotels Las Vegas remains the exception. The union’s struggle with the company underscores the increasing difficulty that workers face in the hospitality sector, especially with inflationary pressures and rising living costs.

Financial Strain of the Strike

While the union provides striking workers with $500 per week for picketing duties lasting at least five days, many of the workers are still bracing for financial strain as they continue their strike. Lee McNamara, a lead dining room cook, shared that he had taken a second job for eight months to save up for this moment.

“A strike is hurtful to everybody, but it was a last resort for us,” McNamara said. “We didn’t have anything else we could do. The company wasn’t coming our way, and they weren’t seeing it our way, and they haven’t really budged much.”

Diana Monjaraz, who works in housekeeping, echoed similar sentiments, noting the sacrifices workers are willing to make in the hopes of a better contract. “You have to suffer a little bit to win sometimes,” Monjaraz said. “You don’t get things handed to you right away.”

Union vs. Virgin Hotels: Stalled Negotiations

Both the Culinary Union and Virgin Hotels Las Vegas have placed blame for the stalled negotiations on the other. Bethany Khan, a spokesperson for the union, stated that the workers are fighting for a contract that guarantees their benefits and protections, which they feel are non-negotiable. “Workers overwhelmingly have chosen a strong Culinary Union contract that guarantees their benefits as the way they want to be protected,” she said. “Hundreds of workers are on strike themselves to win these protections.”

On the other side, Virgin Hotels Las Vegas claims the union has been negotiating in bad faith, accusing them of refusing to engage in meaningful discussions. The company has reiterated that it remains committed to keeping the hotel open and protecting the jobs of the workers. The hotel stated that it is doing everything in its power to continue operations despite the walkout.

A Historic Strike and What’s Next

The strike at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas is historic for the Culinary Union, as it marks the first open-ended strike since 2002, when workers protested at the Golden Gate hotel-casino for 10 days. The current walkout, however, has the potential to go on indefinitely, with no clear resolution in sight as both sides continue to dig in their heels. While the union is fighting for better wages and benefits, Virgin Hotels’ management remains firm in its stance, arguing that the union has not negotiated in good faith.

As the strike stretches into its second day, it remains unclear when or how the situation will resolve. Union members are determined to press on, no matter the financial hardships, as they wait for a contract that will provide fair compensation and benefits for their hard work in one of the most demanding industries in the world.