FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 31, 2014
Media contact:
bkhan@culinaryunion226.org ▪ @Bethany Khan ▪ (702) 387-7088
Unions Reach Tentative Agreements with The Four Queens and Binion’s
LAS VEGAS, NV – One day before the strike deadline, the Culinary and Bartenders Unions’ negotiating committee reached a tentative agreement with TLC Casino Enterprises, Inc. for new 5-year contracts with the Four Queens Hotel and Casino and the Binion’s Gambling Hall & Hotel. The settlement is retroactive to June 1, 2013, if it is ratified by the workers. Four Queens and Binion’s are no longer on the list of casinos facing a strike on June 1.
The latest settlements follow the standard of a fair agreement set by earlier deals with other Downtown casinos, including the Golden Nugget, Fremont, Main Street Station, El Cortez, and The D.
“Union contracts are a great benefit for the entire community,” said Geoconda Arguello-Kline, Secretary-Treasurer of the Culinary Union. “The workers at Four Queens and Binion’s can be confident that their jobs will continue to be good jobs.”
“I’m relieved to know that we have a fair contract,” said Maria Rocha, a housekeeper at the Four Queens. “I can focus on being my best at work because I know that my job is secure.”
“I’ve been on strike before to protect my family,” said Mario Sandoval, a food server at Binion’s. “I’m glad that we were able to come to a fair deal, but I’m going to be on the picket line with my friends from other unsettled properties on Sunday. We aren’t done until we all are done.”
At 5 a.m. on June 1, restaurant workers, hotel housekeepers, cocktail servers, bartenders, and other members of the unions at unsettled casinos will walk off their jobs and start 24/7 picketing of Plaza, Las Vegas Club, and Golden Gate unless fair agreements are reached. As of release date, there are nearly 350 union workers without a contract in Downtown Las Vegas.
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 and in Downtown Las Vegas. UNITE HERE represents 270,000 hospitality workers in gaming, hotel, and food service industries in North America.
www.CulinaryUnion226.org / @Culinary226
###