Culinary Union, backed by 60,000 rank-and-file members, has hit an incredible milestone. For the first time in its 90-year history, it’s done so with the power to successfully unionize all major casinos on the Las Vegas Strip. This huge victory illustrates the union’s deep connection to Las Vegas. It shows that they know how to dynamically respond to the quickly fluid business terrain of the casino industry. The union’s success showcases its resilience in navigating complex power dynamics with casino owners and operators.
Culinary Workers Local 226 is the largest active labor union in Nevada. It has been a unifying and progressive force in the region for decades. Having achieved a membership rate of 95 to 98%, it has created an enormous presence in the hospitality workers’ world. This win comes right after the Culinary Union negotiated contracts that ensure thousands of workers receive pay raises. This momentous deal includes more paid days off — a huge victory for workers everywhere. Union members will get a 32% pay increase over the course of the five-year contract, a historic rise.
Ted Pappageorge, the Culinary Union’s secretary-treasurer and lead negotiator, expressed pride in the union’s accomplishments. “It’s always been our goal to make sure that this town is a union town,” he stated, emphasizing the importance of collective bargaining in achieving fair labor practices.
The union’s endorsement is immensely powerful. It’s the gold standard especially among Democratic candidates, many of whom will always look for its endorsement in election cycles. With the power to mobilize thousands of members for canvassing and voter outreach, the Culinary Union has positioned itself as a key player in Nevada’s political landscape.
The union’s historical success hasn’t only been thanks to its size — it’s been thanks to its adaptability. The casino industry has expanded and become increasingly corporatized. At the same time, the Culinary Union goes to the mat for its members. Ruben Garcia, an expert in labor relations, noted, “That consolidation can make things harder for workers in some ways, but it gives unions one large target.” Most impressively, this adaptability has equipped the Culinary Union to respond effectively to the challenges presented by increased competition and the shifting marketplace.
According to one worker, in recent years, SEIU Local 1’s organizing work has been key to preventing several potential strikes by hospitality workers. In 2023, it was instrumental in helping the Biden administration avoid a repeat of a massive labor disruption with 35,000 workers working without a contract. The union’s approach of deep, proactive organizing before contract negotiations shows it’s serious about winning concrete improvements to working conditions for its members.
Members such as Susana Pacheco have already felt the concrete improvements in their day-to-day lives thanks to the newly won contracts. And now with the union, we have a voice, she said, pointing to the source of strength found by workers in forming a union. This sentiment is indicative of a larger shift among workers who are realizing the power and benefits of collective action.
The Culinary Union’s success story is emblematic of its long-standing commitment to representing workers’ interests while fostering a sense of community and solidarity among its members. Patrick Nichols, another member, shared his optimism about the future: “Together, we’ve shown that change can be a positive force, and I’m confident that this partnership will continue to benefit us all in the years to come.”
