FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Friday, November 14, 2025
MEDIA CONTACT:
Bethany Khan: bkhan@culinaryunion226.org ▪ (702) 387-7088
Culinary Union members at the Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) authorize a strike as negotiations with DBEs continue
Strike deadline: TODAY - Friday, November 14, 2025
*Workers are available for virtual interviews in English and Spanish as negotiations continue today*
BROLL of the picket @ LAS Airport on November 5th
Las Vegas, NV – Earlier this week, 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 set a strike date, continues negotiations on the last day of the strike deadline while preparing for a strike if a tentative agreement has not been reached by the end of today.
Culinary and Bartenders Unions represent nearly 400 hospitality workers who are employed at American Bagel (T3), Bagelmania (T1), Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf (T1 & T3), Jamba Juice (T1 & T3), Jersey Mike’s (T1), Nathan’s (T1), Port O’Subs (T1 & T3), and Wendy’s (T1).
“Today is strike deadline day for the DBE’s and we are prepared to call for a strike at the LAS Airport if a tentative agreement on a new union contract is not reached by the end of negotiations today,” said Ted Pappageorge, Secretary-Treasurer for the Culinary Union. “While we hope for a fair settlement that protects over 400 hospitality workers, we are ready to escalate the labor dispute, including going 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, while facing disrespectful tactics from DBE companies that have made proposals that threaten health care benefits, reduce recall rights (among other items), and many who have not given workers raises in 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. “The company’s latest proposal made at negotiations is completely unfair and it threatens our health insurance benefits, pay, and the job security we’ve earned. We’re voting to authorize a strike to stand up for what’s right and to win a better future for our families and each other. One job should be enough!”
“I voted YES for the strike authorization 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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