Video / VICTORY: The Venetian is now union!

VICTORY: The Venetian is now union!

The fight to unionize the Venetian is one of the longest campaigns in the Culinary Union’s history. In February 1999, 1,300 workers, led by civil rights icon Congressman John Lewis, stood against anti-union billionaire Sheldon Adelson, who tried to silence workers by claiming the sidewalks in front of the casino as private property, but Culinary Union didn’t back down. The labor dispute went all the way to the US Supreme Court, which ruled in favor of the union. The sidewalks were declared public, ensuring that Culinary Union members can always protest, rally, and leaflet—no matter who the owner is. A turning point came in June 2023, when the Culinary Union and the Venetian reached a card check neutrality agreement. This historic breakthrough allowed thousands of workers at the Venetian and Palazzo to choose whether to unionize, with management remaining neutral and respecting their choice. For the first time in 25 years, Venetian workers would have a say in their future. On August 20, 2024, after more than 20 consecutive hours of negotiations, the Culinary Union secured a historic tentative agreement with the Venetian. Over 4,000 workers would now benefit from better wages, healthcare, and job security. The tentative agreement was put to a vote, and the response was overwhelming. In a powerful display of unity, 99% of workers voted 'YES' to ratify the historic first-time union contact in that property’s history. After 25 years of persistence, the Venetian is now unionized and will forever be. Culinary Union celebrates the achievement of the Las Vegas Strip becoming 100% UNION with Venetian/Palazzo workers and recognize all of the workers, past and present, who organized to win a better future for those to come.