Some 23 workers and union leaders were arrested as they picketed at the Virgin Hotels Las Vegas on Thursday evening, the union revealed.

The picketing began on Harmon Avenue and then demonstrators sat down in the hotel’s porte-cochere, an entrance which is used by vehicles.

The demonstration was organized by the Culinary Union as it attempts to reach a contract with the Las Vegas hotel.

In a statement, the Culinary Union described the demonstration as “an act of non-violent civil disobedience.”

The union represents some 700 hospitality workers employed by the Virgin Las Vegas. They are seeking a five-year contract. The last contract expired in June 2023.

Among those taking part in the picketing were Culinary Union Secretary-Treasurer Ted Pappageorge and 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 said in a statement.

“The last main table negotiations with the company took place in early July, but unfortunately the company continues to stand by its proposal of $0 in raises for the first three years” of a 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. Management’s proposal and treatment of workers who is “unacceptable,” Pappageorge said.

Management Isn’t Serious

Workers are growing frustrated with management.

“I picketed outside Virgin Las Vegas because I feel like they aren’t serious about making things right with us,” Pamela Holmes, an usher at Virgin Las Vegas, said in a statement. “It feels wonderful to see all the union members come out and support us this evening on the picket line and be in solidarity with us. I know that all the union workers in this city have our back and we won’t give up fighting until we win the best contract ever.”

I want to send a message to Virgin Las Vegas that we are here, we are union, we are gonna stay union, and we want a contract now,” echoed Isabel Gonzalez, a guest room attendant at Virgin Las Vegas. “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?”

Recent Strike

In May, the Culinary and Bartenders Unions organized a two-day strike against Virgin Las Vegas. It was the first Culinary Union strike in 22 years.

Virgin Hotels Las Vegas is owned by JC Hospitality, LLC. 

The hotel released a statement to Casino.org on Thursday.

“Virgin Hotels Las Vegas is disappointed by the Culinary Workers Union 226 and Bartenders Union Local 165 plan to picket our property this afternoon. We have made every effort to negotiate in good faith and prioritize the well-being of our team members.  At the end of our last negotiating session on July 11, we informed the Union that we were willing to meet again as soon as the Union was ready to do so. Since then, the Union has not contacted us with any 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.”

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