All major Las Vegas Strip casinos are now unionized

Summary:
For the first time in its 90-year history, the Culinary Workers Union represents employees at every major casino on the Las Vegas Strip. This follows two major breakthroughs in late 2024:

1. The Venetian, after 25 years of resisting organizing efforts, agreed to unionize following a change in ownership.
2. The Fontainebleau, the Strip’s newest resort, signed its first labor contract.

The Culinary Union, with 60,000 members—most in Las Vegas—is the largest labor organization in Nevada. Experts call this achievement a rare success in a national climate where union membership has been in steady decline.

Key Details from the Article

• Worker experience:
  Susana Pacheco, a single mother, began working as a housekeeper at the Venetian 16 years ago seeking stability. Instead, she faced low pay, inconsistent health insurance, and mounting financial strain—common issues for many in non-union casino jobs.
• Union breakthrough at the Venetian:
  For decades, the Venetian was a prominent holdout against the Culinary Union, despite the rest of the Strip becoming increasingly organized. This long standoff ended after a shift in ownership, which allowed the union to finally gain representation rights.
• Fontainebleau joins in:
  The new Fontainebleau casino, which opened recently, negotiated its first labor contract, ensuring its workforce also gained union representation from the outset.
• Historic first:
  These two developments mean every major casino on the Las Vegas Strip now has unionized workers—an unprecedented level of labor coverage in the city’s hospitality industry.
• Union strength:
  With 60,000 members, the Culinary Union wields significant bargaining power in contract negotiations, wage improvements, and benefits expansion. This influence has been credited with raising living standards for hospitality workers across Nevada.

Context & Broader Trends

• National union decline:
  While the Culinary Union’s success stands out, national union membership has been steadily decreasing for decades due to factors such as changes in labor law, corporate resistance, and the rise of non-traditional work arrangements.
• Local economic importance:
  Las Vegas is heavily dependent on tourism and gaming, meaning labor stability at its largest casinos is critical not only for workers but for the city’s economy as a whole.
• Shift in labor climate:
  The Venetian’s ownership change reflects how management attitudes toward organized labor can shift under new leadership, especially when public perception and workforce retention are priorities.

Implications for the Future

1. Greater worker protections:
   With every major Strip casino now unionized, the Culinary Union will be able to negotiate industry-wide standards on wages, health insurance, scheduling, and job security.
2. Potential spillover effect:
   Union leaders may focus on expanding to off-Strip casinos, downtown properties, and related sectors such as hospitality services, restaurants, and entertainment venues.
3. Model for other cities:
   This could serve as a blueprint for hospitality unions in other major tourist destinations like Atlantic City, Orlando, or even international gaming hubs.
4. Political influence:
   The Culinary Union’s size and mobilization ability make it a major political player in Nevada, capable of influencing elections and state policy.