For Immediate Release
March 27, 2014
Las Vegas Workers Vote Overwhelmingly to Authorize a Strike
Strikes now possible at any Downtown Las Vegas Casino
LAS VEGAS, NV – Several thousand Culinary and Bartenders Union members voted Thursday to authorize a strike against ten Las Vegas Downtown casinos five-weeks after the unions gave notice to terminate contract extensions. Over 99% voted yes. The unions can now call for a strike at any time against these properties until they have new contracts.
“I voted yes to authorize a strike because I will do whatever it takes to continue to have the opportunity to provide for my family,” said Annette Wright, a pantry worker at the Golden Nugget.
“Our entire union stands with our members who made this brave decision today to authorize a strike,” said Geoconda Arguello-Kline, Secretary-Treasurer of the Culinary Union. “We will be with these workers until we win and have a fair settlement – which is what they deserve.”
“I stand in solidarity with my brothers and sisters,” said Maria Rocha, a housekeeper at the Four Queens. “We are one union and we won’t stop until everyone has the same good contract that make it possible for workers like me to be a part of the American middle class.”
Downtown properties that are now subject to a strike are Binion’s, Fremont, Four Queens, El Cortez, Golden Gate, Golden Nugget, Las Vegas Club, Las Vegas Plaza, Main Street Station, and The D. Workers at Brady Linen Services (Brady workers provide laundry services for many casinos and hotels on the Strip) and Margaritaville also passed the strike authorization vote by overwhelming margins.
The Culinary and Bartenders Unions recently concluded negotiations for new five-year new contracts covering over 37,000 workers on the Las Vegas Strip, where union contracts expired last June. Union members voted last May to raise monthly dues by $25 in the event of a strike.
Photos from today's vote: http://on.fb.me/OZ0CER
www.CulinaryUnion226.org @Culinary226
Media Contact:
(702) 387-7088
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