Las Vegas Culinary and Bartenders Union Threatens Strike

The Culinary and Bartenders union in Las Vegas have issued a warning that they are prepared to strike at downtown casinos if a contract deal isn’t reached.

On Monday union officials said that they have not yet set a date for the potential strikes, but that a majority of the 3,000 union members at nine casinos have signed up for strike benefits and picket line shifts.

Contracts with casinos expired on June 1, 2013 and last March union members voted to authorize strikes whenever called for by their leaders.

Only the Golden Nugget Casino has managed to reach an agreement with the union. Most casinos are still without a contract including: The D, Four Queens, Fremont, Main Street Station, El Cortez, Binion’s, Golden Gate, The Plaza, and Las Vegas Club.

In 1984 the Culinary, Bartenders, Stagehands and Musicians unions held simultaneous strikes. They were targeting a group of hotels known as the Nevada Resort Association. The strikes caused considerable disruption and loss of business for the affected hotels.

While any strike called today is unlikely to have the same impact as the 1984 strikes, hotels and casinos are sure to be weary of losing business considering the current economic climate.