The Culinary Workers Union Local 226 and Bartenders Local 165 service workers have entered into contract renewal negotiations with the two largest resort companies in Las Vegas. The unions are negotiating new service contracts with MGM Resorts International and Caesars Entertainment with focus on wages and health benefits. The current contract established in 2007 will expire June 1, 2013.
The 226 is the largest workers union in Nevada. The total membership of the two unions involved in the contract negotiations involves more than 55,000 Las Vegas resort service workers.
Negotiations with MGM Resorts reps are taking place at the Excalibur resort, while Caesars property negotiations are at Bally's. The current contract established in 2007 required four months of talks before a deal was reached. The post-recession, Affordable Health Care Act economic environment of today was not present during the 2007 contract talks. The current economic conditions will drive much of the ongoing negotiation approach from the unions.
Union reps have outlined the top 5 new contract concerns for their membership.
- Health benefits
- Pension protection
- Food and beverage workers employment concerns ( due to numerous restaurant closures)
- Job growth
- Wages
Reps from both sides of the negotiations claimed that the union and casino companies have enjoyed a reasonable partnership for many years. The unions recently picketed to the point of civil disobedience (98 members were arrested for sitting in the Vegas Strip roadway) in protest of stalled contract talks with the owners of the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.
The next round of contract negotiations between the unions and MGM/Caesars are slated to begin April 15.
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Article info source = Star Advertiser.com
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