(LAS VEGAS, NEVADA) - The Culinary Union and U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) Acting Labor Secretary Julie A. Su recently celebrated the Las Vegas Strip becoming 100% Unionized at an event held at the Venetian Resort Las Vegas.

Attendees celebrated the historic first Union contract that was reached between the Culinary Workers Union Local 226 and The Venetian Resort Las Vegas, which was the final Casino Resort on the world-famous Las Vegas Strip to be covered by a Culinary and Bartenders Unions Collective Bargaining Agreement. 

Ted Pappageorge, the Secretary-Treasurer for the Culinary Workers Union, said: “We are proud to celebrate a new day here at the Venetian.  The fight to Unionize the Venetian has been one of the longest and most significant in Culinary Union’s eighty-nine-year history.  From standing up to Anti-Union billionaire Sheldon Adelson in 1999 to winning the right at the U.S. Supreme Court to picket and protest on sidewalks in front of Las Vegas Casinos - and now securing a historic first contract, Workers never gave up.  This first contract at the Venetian makes the Las Vegas Strip (100%) Unionized, with over (4,000) Venetian Workers benefiting from strong wage increases, Union health care and pension, and job security.  We applaud Venetian’s management team, especially CEO Patrick Nichols, for recognizing that Workers are essential to the company’s success and for giving Workers a say in their future.  This victory is also a testament to the leadership of the Biden-Harris Administration, whose unwavering commitment to ensure Workers can organize and win a Union has been a source of great strength.  The Culinary Union also thanks Acting Secretary Julie Su, a fighter for Working Families, for her continued support of Workers who stand together to build a stronger future.” 

Acting Labor Secretary Su said: “This contract now brings the Las Vegas Strip to a (100%) Unionized workforce.  When you have a Union contract, you can look forward to positive relationships between employers and their Workers.  You can look forward to building a world-class property with world-class Employees.  You can improve communication, not just at the bargaining table, but in between bargaining sessions.  You have a way of talking about how we can better improve the way the business operates.  You come to work knowing that you are valued, that you have a voice.  It's so important to have good jobs in our country and it's such a deep commitment of President (Joe) Biden, Vice President (Kamala) Harris and the entire Biden-Harris Administration.  When President Biden says the Middle Class built America and Unions built the Middle Class, he's talking about all of you.  We want to make sure that a (good) job like that is available to every Worker, to every family, in every community all across the country, and you are showing that that is possible here.”

The Culinary and Bartenders Unions and The Venetian Resort Las Vegas, which includes The Palazzo at The Venetian Resort, announced that a tentative agreement on a new four-year contract was reached Tuesday, August 20th.

This first-time Union contract covers more than 4,000 of The Venetian Resort Team Members in the Food, Beverage, Housekeeping, Bar, Lounge and Bell Departments as the property officially becomes Unionized after 25 years.

In a powerful display of unity, 99% of the Workers voted yes to ratify.

The contract at The Venetian Resort contains standard Union protections negotiated and won over the Culinary Union’s 89-year history: Health care benefits; Owners and successorship; Access to Culinary Academy of Las Vegas, Culinary and Bartenders Housing Fund, Culinary & Bartenders Legal Service Fund; and the Culinary Union Pension.

The contract also includes language on increased Worker security regarding sexual harassment, technology and immigration, and a choice regarding health care benefits.  

The agreement also secures the largest wage increases ever, workload reductions and daily room cleaning for Guest Room Attendants, safety protections for Workers on-the-job, recall rights and the right for Unionized Workers to support Non-Union Restaurant Workers seeking to Unionize through picketing, leafletting and other actions.

To Read This Organizing Labor News Story In Its Entirety, Go To: Culinary Union celebrates the Las Vegas Strip becoming 100% union with the U.S. Department of Labor at the Venetian - | Culinary Union Local 226 (culinaryunion226.org)