Caesars Entertainment Properties in Las Vegas See Approval of New Workers’ Contract
A new contract for hospitality workers at Caesars Entertainment properties in Las Vegas has been approved by an overwhelming majority of rank-and-file union members. The five-year agreement was put to a vote and completed by 8 p.m. on Monday, with 99% of voters in favor.
This contract covers approximately 10,000 workers, including housekeepers, cocktail and food servers, porters, bellmen, cooks, bartenders, as well as laundry and kitchen workers. The union leadership has described the agreement as the “best contract ever.”
Before Monday’s vote, Culinary Union secretary-treasurer Ted Pappageorge called the deal “historic” with “record economics,” noting that it includes significant raises, though specific details were not immediately released. He also outlined improvements in the contract, such as daily room cleaning for housekeepers, paid training, and easier paths to advancement, as well as enhanced worker safety measures.
Pappageorge praised Caesars Entertainment for their role in negotiations, calling the company a “great partner.” He disclosed that the union was fully prepared to strike if necessary, with trucks loaded, generators at the ready, and picket signs and bullhorns on standby.
Following the approval of the contract at Caesars, workers at MGM Resorts International are scheduled to vote on their tentative contract, with Wynn Resorts workers set to vote on theirs. The Culinary Union had reached tentative agreements with these companies within days or hours of a threatened strike on November 10.
With these contracts ratified, the union’s next step will be to negotiate with other Las Vegas properties to renew current contracts and advocate for similar economic packages. Pappageorge highlighted the need for wage increases and improvements for workers at downtown properties, as well as ongoing issues faced by workers commuting to their jobs.
Meanwhile, in Detroit, workers at two casinos voted over the weekend to ratify a new contract, while workers at a third casino remain on strike after rejecting a proposed deal. The strike began on October 17, involving 3,700 employees at the three properties.
