The longest strike that Las Vegas has seen in years is finally over. Union workers at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas ended their strike after 69 days when management and the Culinary Workers and Bartenders unions announced that both sides agreed on a contract.
The Culinary Union shared on social media, including its X account, that negotiators secured a five-year deal for around 700 employees.
BREAKING: Culinary Union is pleased to announce that an agreement has been reached with @VirginHotelsLV!
A new 5-year union contract was ratified moments ago by a vote of 100% and the *strike has now ended* on day 69.
JOINT STATEMENT:https://t.co/WCGbjSRDR1pic.twitter.com/BntRplp2Jh
— Culinary Union (@Culinary226) January 22, 2025
The description in the post read: “Virgin Hotels Las Vegas and the Culinary Workers Union Local 226 and Bartenders Union Local 165 have come to an agreement on the terms upon which they are prepared to settle their new Collective Bargaining Agreement".
"Virgin Hotels Las Vegas and the Culinary and Bartenders Unions are pleased to be moving past their contract negotiations as each looks forward to fostering a positive and collaborative working relationship for the benefit of all team members at the property,” added.
Ratification Vote Ends Long Open-Ended Strike
According to a joint statement from the parties, the new five-year union contract has already been ratified by a 100% vote.
This vote ended the strike that began on Nov. 15, 2023. This was the first open-ended strike in 22 years for the Culinary Workers Union, the largest labor union in Nevada, with about 60,000 workers in Las Vegas and Reno, including those at most of the casino resorts on the Las Vegas Strip and in Downtown Las Vegas.
Bethany Khan, a spokesperson for the union, told News Press Now that the deal came together in recent days.
The union last went on strike in 2002 when Golden Gate hotel-casino employees in downtown Las Vegas walked off the job for 10 days.
What Does the New Contract Provide Culinary Union Workers?
The new five-year contract means non-tipped workers will earn $4.32 an hour, and tipped workers will earn $2.16 an hour. Workers will also receive paid time off for the days they missed due to the strike.
FOX5 News talked to workers who shared their happiness about the new contract. Jorge Martinez Rodriguez said, "We are proud to come back to work. We won because we fight for justice for our families, because one job should be enough."
Long Battle for a New Contract
Although the strike lasted 69 days, this contract battle started more than 18 months ago when the union’s last contract expired on June 1, 2023.
During negotiations, Virgin Hotels Las Vegas criticized the union for adopting a "take it or leave it" approach, arguing that the union's demands were economically unsustainable for the off-Strip property and would negatively impact all hotel staff.
The union consistently said it wanted the same agreement with Virgin Hotels Las Vegas as it had with other Las Vegas resorts, like the Strat and Westgate Las Vegas, which were in similar situations.
Strike Affected Business and Family Life
During the strike, the group spoke directly to the Nevada Gaming Control Board. They offered public comment and updates on where the negotiations stood.
The strike at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas even moved from the picket line to the stage when comedian Steve Hofstetter canceled his show because of the lack of an agreement. The union organized a picket line outside the property, which went 24 hours a day, 7 days a week during the strike.
Housekeepers, porters, bellhops, and servers joined the picket line. Some expressed their readiness to remain on strike as long as necessary, even if it meant finding a second job until a new contract was approved.
Both Sides Ready To Move On
The good news is that now that an agreement has been reached, it appears that both parties are ready to put it behind them.
The joint statement read: "Parties are committed to the resolution of our dispute and to maintaining a union standard at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas that provides for its team members’ families and fosters a better community for all.”
