Now, the Mirage is less than a week away from shutting its doors for a property-wide renovation and rebranding effort. The more than 30-year-old resort will close Wednesday to start a lengthy transformation into the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino and Guitar Hotel Las Vegas, with an expected reopening in spring 2027, officials have said.
“It caught me by surprise,” Fuentes admitted, when asked about his initial reactions to the closure announcement.
His fears were ultimately quelled, however, by the knowledge that he and other members of the Culinary Union who work at the Mirage are protected by certain provisions in their contract, Fuentes said, which was obvious from the advanced notice they received — around two months before the closure.
He and other Culinary workers fought hard for the contract they’re currently benefiting from, he said, particularly ensuring it has a safety net during periods of closure or renovation like this one. And now, Fuentes said, he and his co-workers can leave the property knowing they are secure financially, emotionally and mentally.
“Casinos are constantly wanting to rebrand their properties and their operations and all that,” he said. “And the reason I fought for my contract is because I want to be part of that conversation — or a part of that movement, if you will — if they do decide to close, because they have to involve the union if they decide to close.”
There were two options available to him because of his union contract, Fuentes said. “Option A” was to receive $2,000 for every year of service, six months pension and six months medical insurance, but not a recall to work when the resort reopens in about three years.
“Option B” involves a lesser amount of money for years of service, but a guaranteed return to work when the property reopens, as if it had never closed, he said.
“This was a very hard decision for me,” said Fuentes, who went with Option A. “Originally, I thought about returning, but then I thought, ‘I don’t know what’s going to happen in three years.’ … I actually might find a career that I enjoy within that three years.”
Those who opt for the same path as him could always reapply anew once the Mirage reopens as Hard Rock in a few years, he added.
The Culinary and Bartenders unions represent about 1,700 workers at the Mirage, more than 100 of whom have been there for the 35 years since it opened, said Ted Pappageorge, secretary-treasurer of the labor unit.
It’s tough to see any property like the Mirage close, he emphasized.
“The beautiful thing is that this company (Hard Rock International) — it’s going to remodel and reopen, and it’s going to be bigger and better than before, and we 100% support that,” Pappageorge said. “But it’s tough for workers that have put their entire career, some of them into one place, to see it closed down.”
For workers who follow in Fuentes footsteps and accept Option A, they can either find another job or, Pappageorge said, they could take an early retirement.
The union has previously said it would host events at its headquarters for Mirage workers, connecting them with unemployment resources, job fairs, benefits and more.
“The economy is back, and it’s strong,” Pappageorge said. “Business is booming in Vegas. It’s booming around the country. Visitation is up. And so, there’s opportunities for folks.”
Companies in Las Vegas get “bought and sold all day long,” Pappageorge said, which is why strong language to protect workers and their seniority in the event of a sale or closure is so important to the union.