On Thursday evening, 23 workers and union leaders were arrested while picketing at the Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, the union disclosed. The picketing commenced on Harmon Avenue before demonstrators sat down in the hotel’s porte-cochere, an area designated for vehicle entrance. This demonstration was organized by the Culinary Union as part of its ongoing effort to secure a new contract with the hotel.
The Culinary Union described the protest as “an act of non-violent civil disobedience.” Representing approximately 700 hospitality workers employed at Virgin Las Vegas, the union is advocating for a five-year contract following the expiration of the previous agreement in June 2023. Among those participating in the demonstration were Culinary Union Secretary-Treasurer Ted Pappageorge and Union President Diana Valles.
“We took negotiations to the streets this evening to send a clear message to Virgin Las Vegas that it’s time to do right by their workers,” Pappageorge stated. He further criticized the company’s offer of zero wage increases for the first three years of the proposed five-year contract. “The company hasn’t offered more than zero in wage increases for the first three years of the contract since the first day of negotiations and it’s disappointing that we haven’t seen real movement,” he added, labeling management’s proposal and treatment of workers as “unacceptable.”
The mounting frustration among workers was evident. “I picketed outside Virgin Las Vegas because I feel like they aren’t serious about making things right with us,” said Pamela Holmes, an usher at Virgin Las Vegas. Holmes emphasized the solidarity and support displayed by union members, reinforcing their commitment to securing the best possible contract. Echoing this sentiment, Isabel Gonzalez, a guest room attendant at Virgin Las Vegas, remarked, “Everyone else on the Las Vegas Strip and in Downtown Las Vegas has a new contract and fair raises. Why won’t the company do what’s right by us?”
This recent action follows a two-day strike organized by the Culinary and Bartenders Unions against Virgin Las Vegas in May, marking the first Culinary Union strike in 22 years.
Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, owned by JC Hospitality, LLC, responded with a statement expressing disappointment in the union’s approach. “We have made every effort to negotiate in good faith and prioritize the well-being of our team members,” the statement read. Despite being open to further negotiations since their last session on July 11, the hotel claimed that the union had not contacted them with potential meeting dates. “It is disappointing to us and all of our stakeholders that the Union is spending time trying to gain leverage through the media rather than working cooperatively and constructively to bring these negotiations to a mutually satisfactory conclusion. Our operations will be unaffected by the picket, and we remain committed to providing exceptional service,” the hotel concluded.
