• The Culinary Workers Union reaches a five-year deal with Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, ending the longest strike in decades.
• The agreement includes significant pay raises for about 700 employees after 69 days of striking.
• The union's previous contract expired in June 2023, leading to intense negotiations over pay and working conditions.
• Workers will receive a 10% wage increase in the first year, culminating in an average increase to $37 per hour by the contract's end.
• The strike garnered widespread support, affecting the visibility of the hotel among tourists.

LAS VEGAS (AP) — The Culinary Workers Union announced a significant victory as it officially ended the longest strike in decades, a 69-day work stoppage by hotel workers at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas. This strike concluded with a new five-year labor agreement that was unanimously ratified by about 700 employees on Wednesday. The union and the hotel released a joint statement expressing their commitment to fostering a positive and collaborative working relationship after extensive negotiations that began when the previous contract expired in June 2023.

According to LA Times, the new contract likely includes substantial wage increases similar to those achieved by other casino employees across the city. Union spokesperson Bethany Khan confirmed that the deal will provide a 10% wage hike in the first year, with additional increases slated over the remaining term, eventually raising average earnings from $28 to $37 per hour by the contract's conclusion.

Union officials had long insisted that the casino workers would not settle for less than fair compensation, with union leader Ted Pappageorge emphasizing the determination not to accept a “second-class contract.” During the negotiations, Virgin Hotels was criticized for its initial refusal to meet the pay demands, which included a historic 32% wage boost over five years, previously deemed "economically unviable" by the hotel's management.

Workers maintained ongoing picket lines that became a notable presence in the bustling area near the Strip. Despite the hotel's attempts to hire temporary workers to minimize the impact of the strike, significant public support garnered attention from local politicians and the community. Lee McNamara, a longstanding employee, highlighted the inequities faced by workers, stating, "We’re doing the same amount of work for less pay," according to reports from India Times.

The Culinary Workers Union represents approximately 60,000 members across Nevada, marking a major chapter in labor relations for the state's largest union. The recent developments signal a concerted effort to advance worker conditions, particularly in the hospitality sector. For more details, visit the AP News.