Historic milestone: Las Vegas Strip achieves 100% unionization after decades-long battle
In a landmark victory for organized labor, the Las Vegas Strip has become fully unionized for the first time in history, marking the culmination of a 25-year struggle that transformed the working conditions for thousands of hospitality workers.
The final holdouts join the union
The historic achievement was finalized late last year when the Venetian and Palazzo casinos, along with the newly opened Fontainebleau, signed their first labor contracts with the Culinary Workers Union. These properties were the last major non-union holdouts on the world-famous boulevard.
For workers like Susana Pacheco, a housekeeper at the Venetian for 16 years, the change has been transformative. The single mother who once struggled with exhaustion, unpaid bills, and lack of health insurance now enjoys better pay, guaranteed days off, and a voice in workplace decisions.
“Now with the union, we have a voice,” Pacheco said, reflecting on years of working without these protections.
The Venetian’s resistance to unionization lasted 25 years under previous owner Sheldon Adelson, who was known for his anti-union stance. However, when Apollo Global Management acquired the properties in 2021 following Adelson’s death, the new ownership took a different approach, opening the door to union representation.
Record-breaking contract gains
The new contracts secured historic wins for workers across the Strip. The five-year agreements include a 32% wage increase over the contract term, with a 10% boost in the first year alone. By the end of the contract, union casino workers will earn an average of $35 per hour, including benefits—up from approximately $26 hourly under previous agreements.
Beyond wages, the contracts provide comprehensive benefits including free family health insurance, pension plans, job security protections, and enhanced safety measures. Workers also gained protections regarding technology implementation and workload reductions for housekeepers.
Bucking national trends
The Culinary Union’s success stands in stark contrast to declining union membership nationwide. While only about 10% of U.S. workers belong to unions today—down from 20% in 1983—the Las Vegas Strip has moved in the opposite direction.
With 60,000 members, mostly in Las Vegas, the Culinary Union is Nevada’s largest labor organization. Its success stems from deep local roots, political influence, and strategic adaptation to the casino industry’s evolution, according to experts.
“That consolidation can make things harder for workers in some ways, but it also gives unions one large target,” explained Ruben Garcia, a labor law professor at UNLV, referring to how major corporations like MGM Resorts, Caesars Entertainment, and Wynn Resorts now control most Strip properties.
Strategic victories and political power
The union’s path to total Strip coverage wasn’t without challenges. In 2023, the threat of a major strike by 35,000 workers with expired contracts loomed over the Strip during Formula One weekend. Last-minute negotiations with Caesars averted the walkout and triggered a domino effect, with MGM and Wynn quickly following suit.
The Culinary Union’s influence extends beyond the bargaining table. Its ability to mobilize thousands of members for political campaigns makes its endorsements highly sought after, particularly among Democrats. This political capital has helped the union maintain leverage in negotiations and policy discussions.
Not without opposition
Despite overwhelming support—with 95-98% of workers opting into union membership at most casinos—some workers have pushed back. Earlier this year, two food service workers filed complaints with the National Labor Relations Board, alleging improper dues deductions despite their objections to membership.
“I don’t think Culinary Union bosses deserve my support,” said Renee Guerrero, who works at T-Mobile Arena.
However, longtime members like Paul Anthony, a Bellagio food server for nearly 40 years, credit the union with enabling sustainable careers in hospitality—an industry often characterized by high turnover and instability.
The Las Vegas dream realized
Ted Pappageorge, the union’s secretary-treasurer and lead negotiator, calls this achievement the “Las Vegas dream”—the ability for hospitality workers to build lasting careers with dignity and security.
“It’s always been our goal to make sure that this town is a union town,” Pappageorge said.
The complete unionization of the Strip represents more than improved wages and benefits. It symbolizes a fundamental shift in how Las Vegas values its hospitality workforce—the backbone of an industry that drives the city’s economy. For the thousands of workers who clean rooms, serve drinks, and keep the casinos running 24/7, it means the difference between merely surviving and building a stable future for their families.
Image Sources: https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/major-las-vegas-strip-casinos-040650412.html
Category: Business
Subcategory: Labor & Employment
Date: 08/04/2025
