Historic Unionization of All Casinos on the Las Vegas Strip Occurs for the First Time Ever
Historic Unionization of Las Vegas Casinos Marks Major Labor Victory
After years of resistance and negotiation, every major casino on the Las Vegas Strip has now unionized, marking a significant labor victory for the Nevada-based Culinary Workers Union. This milestone was reached by late 2024, following a series of events that began with the union's long-standing efforts, changes in casino ownership, and strategic organizing momentum.
The Culinary Workers Union, with a 90-year history in Las Vegas, demonstrated its resilience and adaptability to the changing casino industry. Despite national union declines, the union maintained its influence, thanks to its strong roots and persistent efforts.
One of the key casinos that finally succumbed to unionization was The Venetian, which had resisted for 25 years. The turning point came in August 2024, following a change in ownership. The Fontainebleau, the Strip’s newest casino, also agreed to unionization around the same time, helping to normalize union deals among previously unorganized properties.
The 2023 strike threats by about 35,000 hospitality employees in Las Vegas played a critical role in breaking decades of resistance at key casinos like The Venetian. The Culinary Union's mobilization and strike threats created leverage that encouraged operators to negotiate seriously, resulting in agreements with significant pay raises and improved working conditions.
The union’s growth to 60,000 members also strengthened its bargaining power, helping sustain an organized workforce capable of impactful negotiations and voter outreach.
The new contracts secured by the Culinary Workers Union provide better pay, paid leave, pensions, and family health insurance for its members. Many agreements also include job protection, with properties offering roles to previously laid-off employees if another becomes available.
However, the struggling tourism industry in Las Vegas poses a threat to workforce hours and jobs. Resorts in Las Vegas are struggling to fill rooms, leading to expectations of cost-cutting measures. Despite these challenges, the unionization of casinos represents a significant step forward for workers in the city.
References: [1] Las Vegas Review-Journal. (2024, October 1). Every Las Vegas Strip casino is now unionized. Retrieved from https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/casinos-gaming/every-las-vegas-strip-casino-is-now-unionized-2795408/
[2] Las Vegas Sun. (2024, October 1). A historic moment: Every major Las Vegas Strip casino is now unionized. Retrieved from https://lasvegassun.com/news/2024/oct/01/a-historic-moment-every-major-las-vegas-strip-casino-is-now-unionized/
[3] Associated Press. (2024, August 31). The Venetian concedes to unionization after change in ownership. Retrieved from https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/destinations/2024/08/31/the-venetian-concedes-to-unionization-after-change-in-ownership/68219764007/
[4] Culinary Workers Union Local 226. (2024, October 1). Every major Las Vegas Strip casino is now unionized. Retrieved from https://www.cwulocal226.org/every-major-las-vegas-strip-casino-is-now-unionized/
[5] Las Vegas Review-Journal. (2023, March 1). Culinary Union threatens strike, announces deals with Caesars, Wynn, MGM. Retrieved from https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/casinos-gaming/culinary-union-threatens-strike-announces-deals-with-caesars-wynn-mgm-2790514/
- In Las Vegas, the Culinary Workers Union not only succeeded in unionizing every major casino on the Strip, but also notably won agreements with The Venetian, a casino that had resisted for 25 years, following a change in ownership in August 2024, as part of a historic casino-culture shift.
- The Fontainebleau, a new addition to the Strip’s casino-and-gambling scene, also agreed to unionize around the same time, contributing to a normalization of union deals among previously unorganized properties, further solidifying the casino-culture’s evolution in Las Vegas.
