A 69-day strike by some 700 non-gaming workers at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas quietly ended Wednesday with a joint announcement that a new contract had been reached.
The agreement between the Culinary Workers Union Local 226 and Bartenders Union Local 165 and operators of the off-Strip resort was surprising given neither party had announced that contract negotiations had resumed. The last discussions took place seven days before the walkout began Nov. 15.
Culinary spokeswoman Bethany Khan said in a text message talks had resumed in the last few days and members voted to accept the terms of the five-year contract Wednesday. The previous agreement expired in 2023. Picket lines were down by Wednesday afternoon.
She said Culinary and Virgin representatives declined to comment formally and issued a three-paragraph joint statement in which the sides committed to move past the contract negotiations and work toward “fostering a positive and collaborative working relationship for the benefit of all team members at the property.”
Khan said Virgin accepted the contract language in place at other Strip properties, which Culinary Secretary-Treasurer Ted Pappageorge told The Nevada Independent in an interview last week was the sticking point to settling the strike.