LAS VEGAS — Susana Pacheco embarked on a journey for stability when she took a housekeeping job at a casino on the Las Vegas Strip 16 years ago, driven by the need to support her 2-year-old daughter.
Despite her hopes, Pacheco soon faced exhaustion, mounting bills, and a lack of stable health insurance, trapped in a cycle of low wages and minimal support.
However, a transformative shift has occurred, as the Venetian, one of the last major casinos on the Strip, recently opened its doors to union representation following a change in ownership.
This moment comes as the newest addition to the Strip, the Fontainebleau, finalized its first labor contract, signaling a significant milestone.
For the first time in the Culinary Workers Union’s 90-year history, all major casinos along the Strip are now unionized, marking a monumental achievement for the Culinary Union, the largest labor union in Nevada, with a membership of 60,000, concentrated primarily in Las Vegas.
Experts recognize the Culinary Union’s considerable accomplishment as an outlier in a national context where union membership has been declining steadily.
“Together, we’ve shown that change can be a positive force, and I’m confident that this partnership will continue to benefit us all in the years to come,” asserted Patrick Nichols, president and CEO of the Venetian, shortly after workers ratified the agreement.
Pacheco reflects on the new contract, expressing how it has positively impacted her daily life.
The housekeeper no longer scrambles to clean an unmanageable number of hotel suites and can now dedicate more quality time to her children due to improved pay and guaranteed days off.
“Now with the union, we have a voice,” she emphasizes.
This surge in union strength in Las Vegas emerges amidst a broader trend of declining union membership nationwide.
As of 2024, approximately 10% of U.S. workers belonged to a union, a stark drop from 20% in 1983, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor statistics.
President Donald Trump, in March, signed an executive order aiming to dismantle collective bargaining for certain federal employees, prompting union leaders to take legal action against the administration.
Moreover, Nevada, along with more than two dozen other states, has enacted “right to work” laws, enabling workers to opt out of union membership and dues.
GOP lawmakers have pursued changes to the National Labor Relations Board and other regulatory offices, advocating for the removal of what they perceive as restrictive rules governing business operations.
Ruben Garcia, a professor and director of the workplace program at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas law school, attributes the Culinary Union’s enduring success to its deep local roots, its adaptability in a corporate casino landscape, and its extensive history of engaging with casino owners and operators in complex negotiations.
He likens the consolidation of casinos on the Strip to the dominance of the Big Three automakers in Detroit, noting that a few powerful corporations can simplify the union’s negotiating landscape.
MGM Resorts International, Caesars Entertainment, and Wynn Resorts control the majority of casinos along Las Vegas Boulevard, allowing the union to focus its efforts on a smaller number of large entities.
In 2023, a potential strike was averted when a last-minute agreement with Caesars sated the concerns of 35,000 hospitality workers facing expired contracts.
This deal sparked a rapid domino effect, propelling similar agreements for employees at MGM Resorts and Wynn properties.
The latest contracts secured a substantial 32% pay increase over the five-year term, with union casino workers projected to earn an average of $35 per hour, including benefits, by the agreement’s conclusion.
The union’s influence extends far beyond the gaming industry, with its ability to mobilize thousands for canvassing and voter outreach efforts, making its endorsements highly sought after, particularly among Democratic candidates.
The Culinary Union’s political backing significantly impacts who can effectively appeal to working-class voters in Nevada.
Nonetheless, the road to success hasn’t been devoid of obstacles.
Michael Green, a history professor at UNLV, notes that the Culinary Union has continuously faced anti-union sentiments.
Earlier this year, two food service employees in Las Vegas lodged federal complaints with the National Labor Relations Board, alleging that the union continued to deduct dues in spite of their objections to union membership.
While the union boasts a high membership rate, with 95% to 98% of workers opting in at various casinos, not all experiences reflect this unity.
“I don’t think Culinary Union bosses deserve my support,” stated Renee Guerrero, a worker at T-Mobile Arena on the Strip, expressing her reservations about the union’s management.
In contrast, veteran members like Paul Anthony, who has dedicated nearly 40 years to working as a food server at the Bellagio, highlight the vital benefits they receive through union membership.
Anthony cites free family health insurance, secure pay raises, job stability, and a pension as integral components of his successful hospitality career.
For him, the opportunity for longevity in an industry typically marked by high turnover is invaluable.
“The Las Vegas dream,” as described by Ted Pappageorge, the union’s secretary-treasurer and lead negotiator, epitomizes the Culinary Union’s commitment to fostering a unionized environment in the city.
“It’s always been our goal to make sure that this town is a union town,” he concludes.
image source from:nbcnews