Las Vegas Casino Strike Looms Even as Circus Circus, Treasure Island Make Deals

Article by : Erik Gibbs Feb 1, 2024

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Two Las Vegas casinos have been able to reach agreements with their respective employees to avoid a workers strike. That leaves 14 others that are running out of time.

A new contract has been accepted by over 1,000 Culinary Union members at Treasure Island, averting a potential strike. A tentative five-year deal with Circus Circus Hotel & Casino Las Vegas, involving nearly 700 workers, has brought a positive development to the ongoing labor negotiations. A ratification vote for the Circus Circus contract is expected soon.

However, negotiations with 14 other resorts are still pending, with a looming 5 AM Friday, February 2, strike deadline. The looming deadline is strategically placed just ahead of the scheduled Super Bowl at Allegiant Stadium on February 11 in Las Vegas.

The unresolved agreements involve major establishments, including Virgin Hotels, Rio, Sahara Las Vegas, Binion’s, Circa, Downtown Grand, El Cortez, Four Queens, Fremont, Golden Gate, Golden Nugget, Main Street, The Plaza and the D Casino.

The Culinary Union’s efforts recently included an informational picket outside Circa, Golden Nugget and Fremont. Over the course of the preceding week, the union achieved positive strides by securing tentative labor agreements with The Strat and Hilton Grand Vacations.

This success follows recent deals with notable establishments, including Waldorf Astoria, The Mirage and Trump Hotel. Despite these accomplishments, negotiations are ongoing with the remaining 14 prominent Las Vegas Strip and Downtown casino properties, impacting nearly 4,000 workers.

Earlier in the month, union members from independent operators at both Strip and Downtown Las Vegas casinos had signaled their intent to initiate a strike if tentative agreements were not reached before then.

Back in November, members, leveraging the imminent Formula One race, successfully ratified agreements with MGM Resorts International, Caesars Entertainment and Wynn Resorts, averting a potential strike.

Noted as historic by Culinary officials, the new contracts boast substantial wage hikes, guaranteed reduced workloads, technology safeguards and career support.

Full-time, non-tipped employees at these establishments will witness an approximate $3-per-hour raise in the first year, while tipped workers will experience a raise of roughly $1.50 hourly.

The terms encompass a remarkable 10% wage increase in the initial year, with a cumulative 32% raise over the contract’s duration, resulting in an average wage of $37 per hour.

The comprehensive compensation package for employees across the three companies is anticipated to reach an impressive $2 billion over the next five years.