MEDIA ADVISORY FOR:
Tuesday, November 18, 2025
MEDIA CONTACT:
Bethany Khan: bkhan@culinaryunion226.org ▪ (702) 387-7088
Culinary Union to give public comment at the Clark County Commission regarding DBE operators at the Harry Reid International Airport (LAS)
BROLL of the picket @ LAS Airport on November 5th
Las Vegas, NV - On Tuesday, November 18, 2025 at 9:00am, Culinary Union, which represents nearly 400 Harry Reid International Airport workers employed as cooks, fast food workers, bartenders, servers, and porters at disadvantaged business enterprises (DBEs), will be giving public comment at the Clark County Commission to provide critical updates after last night’s late-night negotiating session.
WHO:
*Ted Pappageorge, Secretary-Treasurer for the Culinary Union
*LAS Airport DBE workers
WHAT: Culinary Union to give public comment at the Clark County Commission
WHEN: Tuesday, November 18, 2025 at 9:00am
WHERE: Clark County Commission (500 S Grand Central Pkwy, Las Vegas, NV 89155).
WHY: Culinary and Bartenders Union members employed as cooks, fast food workers, bartenders, servers, and porters at Harry Reid International Airport disadvantaged business enterprises (DBEs) voted unanimously on November 12th to authorize a strike. Culinary Union, which has not yet set a strike date, continues negotiations while preparing for a strike and other escalating labor actions.
Currently in negotiations, Culinary and Bartenders Unions represent nearly 400 hospitality workers who are employed at 21 outlets at the Harry Reid International Airport (LAS):
*Auntie Anne’s Soft Pretzels (T1)
*Bagel Mania (T1)
*Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf (T1 & T3)
*Fresh Market on the Go (T1)
*Great American Bagel Bakery (T3)
*Jamba Juice (T1 & T3)
*Jersey Mike’s (T1)
*Jimmy John’s (T3)
*Lucky Streak (T1)
*Moe’s Southwest Grill (T1)
*Mrs. Fields Cookies & TCBY Treats (T1)
*Nathan’s (T1)
*Popeye’s Louisiana Kitchen (T1)
*Port of Subs (T1)
*Quizno’s (T1)
*Rachel’s Kitchen (T1)
*Red Mango Store (T1)
*The Layover Bar (T1)
*Village Pub and Grill (T3)
*Villa Italian Kitchen (T1)
*Wendy’s (T1)
“As of November 14th, the strike deadline for the LAS Airport DBE’s has past and we are prepared to call for a strike at anytime at the LAS Airport if a tentative agreement on a new union contract is not reached as soon as possible,” said Ted Pappageorge, Secretary-Treasurer for the Culinary Union. “While we hope for a fair settlement that protects over 400 hospitality workers, we are escalating the labor dispute and preparing to go on strike, which could significantly impact operations at the Harry Reid International Airport ahead of the busy holiday season in Las Vegas.”
Hundreds of unionized LAS Airport workers are in negotiations for a new union contract, including protection of their health care benefits, and meaningful raises since many have not been given raises in 3-4 years.
“My co-workers and I have been working hard to provide quality and professional service to every customer that comes through the LAS Airport,” said Jacob Ramos, porter and kiosk attendant at the Day One Group’s Moe’s Southwest Grill and Culinary Union member for 5 years. “We’re ready to strike for what’s right and to win a better future for our families and each other. One job should be enough!”
“I’m ready to strike because after four years without raises, I’m not making enough to cover necessities from housing, food, and gas, especially since everything has gone up with inflation,” said Laura Velez, a crew member at Nathan’s and Culinary Union member for 8 years. “This isn’t just about a raise. We also want to protect our health care benefits and make sure we get a fair contract for my co-workers and I. If we have to strike, we’ll be ready because we’re fighting for the respect and security we all deserve.”
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ABOUT CULINARY UNION:
Culinary Workers Union Local 226 and Bartenders Union Local 165, Nevada affiliates of UNITE HERE, represent 60,000 workers in Las Vegas and Reno, including at most of the casino resorts on the Las Vegas Strip and in Downtown Las Vegas. UNITE HERE represents 300,000 workers in gaming, hotel, and food service industries in North America.
The Culinary Union, through the Culinary Health Fund, is one of the largest healthcare consumers in the state. The Culinary Health Fund is sponsored by the Culinary Union and Las Vegas-area employers. It provides health insurance coverage for over 120,000 Nevadans, the Culinary Union’s members, and their dependents.
The Culinary Union is Nevada’s largest Latino/a, Black, AAPI, immigrant organization with members who come from 178 countries and speak over 40 different languages. We are proud to have helped over 18,000 immigrants become American citizens and new voters since 2001 through our affiliate, The Citizenship Project.
The Culinary Union has a diverse membership which is 55% women and 60% immigrants. The demographics of Culinary Union members are approximately: 54% Latino/a, 18% white, 15% Asian, 12% Black, and less than 1% Indigenous Peoples.
Culinary Union members work as: Guest room attendants, cocktail and food servers, porters, bellmen, cooks, bartenders, laundry, and kitchen workers. The Culinary Union has been fighting and winning for working families in Nevada for 90 years.
CulinaryUnion226.org / @Culinary226
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