Tuesday, news arrived that Las Vegas hospitality employees at The Venetian and Palazzo had secured their first-ever union contract, causing them to celebrate.
When the tentative agreement, which covers more than 4,000 hospitality workers, was announced Tuesday morning, Culinary Union members cheered and applauded. The proposed contract will soon be put to a vote among union members for confirmation.
Information about the arrangement is still pending.
Maureen Kimbro, a housekeeper at the Venetian/Palazzo and member of the Culinary organization, expressed her excitement in a video interview that the organization broadcast on Tuesday.
"I am very excited,” she added. “How things change if we actually voice our concerns and have a group of people that back us up. It makes a lot of difference.”
Kimbro has been employed by the hotel for nearly a decade.
"Guys, we made it happen," she continued. "We understand. deal for Venetian for the first time.
The final one on the strip
Kimbro remarked, "We made it happen and we're the last one on the Strip."
Numerous contracts at independent properties and those run by large firms have resulted from Culinary Union negotiations over the previous few months.
A potential strike was avoided in November because to the Culinary Union's successful negotiations with Wynn Resorts, Caesars Entertainment, and MGM Resorts International.
Previous Elevations
The first year of the agreements saw a 10% pay boost for the workers at these locations. Over the course of the agreements, they also received 32% in raises. Members of the union also benefited in other ways.
"The average Culinary Union member earns about $28 an hour (including their benefits) under the previous contract, and by the end of this new five-year contract, the average Culinary Union member will be earning about $37 an hour (including their benefits)," Culinary Union Secretary-Treasurer Ted Pappageorge stated when announcing last year's new contracts.
It's not immediately evident if The Venetian/Palazzo employees saw pay rises on par.
"We look forward to ratification of the agreement and to a positive and productive relationship working alongside both The Joint Executive Board and our Team Members," the statement from The Venetian and The Palazzo said when contacted for comment.
The 60K workers in Las Vegas and Reno, including those at the majority of the casino resorts on the Las Vegas Strip and in Downtown Las Vegas, are represented by the Culinary Workers Union Local 226 and the Bartenders Union Local 165, which are Nevada affiliates of the national Unite Here union. Bartenders, bellhops, food and drink waiters, cooks, housekeepers, kitchen staff, and porters are among the members.