FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, December 1, 2015
Media Contacts:
Bethany Khan ▪ BKhan@CulinaryUnion226.org ▪ (702) 387-7088
Amy Rossetti ▪ pr@cosmopolitanlasvegas.com ▪ (702) 698-7140
Culinary and Bartenders Unions Conclude Contract Negotiations with The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas
LAS VEGAS, NV - Culinary Workers Union Local 226 and the Bartenders Union Local 165 of UNITE HERE are pleased to announce that a new four-year contract with The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas has been voted on and accepted by CoStars. This first-time contract with the resort will cover over 2,000 CoStars in the food, beverage, housekeeping, bar and lounge and bell departments.
“I’m so happy that we are now union members!” said Claudia Zarate, a room stylist at the resort, “After four years and a change in the resort’s ownership and leadership, this contract has been something I have been looking forward to and am comforted in knowing that the union and The Cosmopolitan both believe in fair wages, good health benefits and safe workloads.”
“We applaud all the hard work the CoStars at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas have done over these last four years and recognize the new leadership of Bill McBeath and Blackstone as a positive turning point in this long awaited partnership,” said Geoconda Arguello-Kline, Secretary-Treasurer of the Culinary Union. “We welcome new members to the union, which turned 80 years old this year, and we are committed to continue raising the standard of living for hospitality workers and their families throughout this great city.”
“This contract is an example of when multiple parties have a vested interest in the outcome, lives can be changed,” said Bill McBeath, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. “I am pleased that a contract has been finalized as we at The Cosmopolitan pride ourselves on creating great relationships with our CoStars and providing them with a positive work environment.”
“We value the leadership team and all the CoStars at The Cosmopolitan,” said Jon Gray, Blackstone’s Global Head of Real Estate. “After we acquired the resort in December 2014 and had the opportunity to understand the history of this negotiation, we made it a priority to find a resolution as quickly as possible to the satisfaction of all parties. We want to thank everyone involved for their efforts as we celebrate this important new agreement.”
“This contract means that my family and I can have a quality middle-class life here in Las Vegas,” said Pascale Rida, a banquet server at the resort. “I have the opportunity to provide for my family - and that’s an amazing feeling.”
“I’m so incredibly proud to have been a part of this,” said Philip Reynolds, a mixologist at the resort. “Having job security, a guaranteed work-week, and a pension makes me feel so proud to be member of the union.”
Culinary Workers Local 226 and Bartenders Local 165, Nevada affiliates of UNITE HERE, represent over 55,000 workers in Las Vegas and Reno, including at most of casino resorts on the Las Vegas Strip. UNITE HERE represents 270,000 workers in gaming, hotel, and food service industries in North America.
CulinaryUnion226.org / @Culinary226
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