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Culinary Workers Union
Culinary Workers Union, UNITE HERE Local 226
FoundedNovember 1, 1935; 89 years ago (1935-11-01)[1]
Headquarters1630 S. Commerce Street
Las Vegas, Nevada
Location
Members
60,000
President
Diana Valles
Key people
Ted Pappageorge (Secretary-Treasurer)
Parent organization
UNITE HERE
AffiliationsNevada AFL–CIO
Websiteculinaryunion226.org

The Culinary Workers Union, UNITE HERE Local 226 is a local union affiliated with UNITE HERE which operates in the Las Vegas metropolitan area of Nevada. Members include a variety of occupations organized along craft lines working in restaurants, hotels and laundries, in the casinos in the Las Vegas metropolitan area[2] and Reno, as well as Harry Reid International Airport and Valley Hospital Medical Center. While most Culinary members work in casinos, the union does not represent dealers and other employees directly providing gaming services.[3] The union also has a partnership with the Culinary Academy of Las Vegas, which Hattie Canty, the first African-American woman elected to be president of the Culinary Union, was instrumental in organizing. Local 165 of UNITE HERE represents bartenders in Las Vegas although the two locals negotiate contracts in tandem.

With 60,000 members, the Culinary is the largest union in the state of Nevada. The union tripled its membership between 1990 and 2020, even as labor union membership declined nationwide in the same time period. According to labor journalist Steven Greenhouse, it has "catapulted thousands of dishwashers, waiters, and hotel housekeepers into the middle class, even though those are poverty-level jobs in many other cities." Despite Nevada's status as a "right-to-work" state, around 97% of bargaining units choose to join the Culinary Union and pay dues. This has led The New Republic to call the Culinary Union "America's greatest modern labor success story."[4]

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and its negative impacts on the Nevada tourist industry, more than 98% of the union's members became unemployed in 2020. During the pandemic, the union provided 18 months of free health insurance to laid-off members and distributed over 475,000 baskets of food to hospitality workers' families in need. It also lobbied for Nevada's Senate Bill 4, which instituted COVID-19 workplace safety regulations for the state's hospitality industry, and Senate Bill 386, which guaranteed laid-off hospitality workers the right to be rehired into their old jobs when casinos and other businesses reopened.[5]

On September 27, 2023, the union's Las Vegas chapter voted to authorize a strike.[6] A tentative deal was then reached on November 8, 9 and 10, 2023 to prevent a strike.[7][8][9] The new five-year contract would then be ratified with 99% approval when voting concluded for Caesar's Entertainment, MGM Resorts and Wynn Resorts workers on November 20, 21 and 22.[10][11][12][13] On January 26, 2024, the Culinary Union also reached tentative agremements on a five-year labor contract with Circus Circus Hotel & Casino Las Vegas and a three-year labor contract with Circus Circus Reno.[14][15][16] On September 19, 2024, the Venetian, which was built in 1999 and was the last remaining Las Vegas Strip casino to not have a union, would become the latest Las Vegas Strip resort to approve a Culinary Union labor contract, thus ensuring that all of the culinary workers employed in Las Vegas Strip resorts were now unionized.[17][18]

November 2024 Virgin Hotels Las Vegas strike

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In spite of the fact that all Las Vegas resorts were unionized by September 2024, Culinary Union members at the Las Vegas Virgin Hotel & Casino have been without a labor contract since the previous one expired in June 2023.[17][19] The Virgin Hotels Las Vegas has been a key target for the Culinary Workers Union.[20] A limited two day strike at the hotel would be held form May 10-11, 2024.[21] On November 15, 2024, 700 workers at the Virgin Hotels Las Vegas went on an indefinite, open-ended strike.[20][22][23] This would be the Culinary Worker's Union's first open-ended strike in Las Vegas since 2002.[20][24] Unlike the previous labor strike which took place earlier in the year which only last for two days, the November 2024 Virgin Hotels Las Vegas strike will last until a new labor deal is reached, with workers picketing around the hotel 24/7.[20][22] However, despite managing to get an open-ended strike, Virgin Hotels Las Vegas remains operational, with the hotel managing to successfully hire temporary workers.[25][26] The Virgin Hotel Las Vegas would also remain open for people attending the 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix.[27]

Starting November 21, 2024, the strike at the Virgin Hotel Las Vegas would also include civil disobedience.[28] The first day of civil disobedience at the hotel saw 57 people arrested for intentionally blocking a road, including President Diana Valles and Secretary-Treasurer Ted Pappageorge.[29]

Politics

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The union is an influential supporter of Democratic politicians and causes in the state of Nevada. Jon Ralston has credited its voter education and turnout operations for Democrats' statewide, state legislative, and congressional victories in 2016, 2018, and 2020, and for maintaining many of these gains in 2022.[30][31] According to The Nevada Independent, the union is "among the most singularly powerful political forces in Nevada"[32] and is a "key cog in the [Reid] machine."[30]

In January 2008, the union endorsed Illinois Senator Barack Obama over New York Senator Hillary Clinton during the 2008 Democratic caucuses.[33]

In February 2016, the union declined to endorse either Clinton or Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders during the caucuses, and later endorsed Clinton when she became the Democratic presidential nominee. She lost the general election to Donald Trump on November 8, 2016, though she won Nevada.[34][35]

Yvanna Cancela, the political director for the union, was appointed to the Nevada Senate in 2017, and later became chief of staff to Nevada governor Steve Sisolak.[36][37]

In December 2018, Bea Duran, a grievance representative for the Culinary Workers, was appointed to the Nevada State Assembly.[38]

In February 2020, the Union once again declined to endorse a candidate for that year's caucuses.[39] Their decision came after it circulated a flyer among members criticizing Sanders and Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren's support for single-payer healthcare, which it argued would leave members with worse benefits.[40] Some union leaders reported receiving threats after the flyer was published.[41] Despite this warning, a majority of the union's members caucusing at one casino in Nevada voted for Sanders.[42]

In January 2024, Vice President Kamala Harris visited Las Vegas to meet with members of the culinary union in what was billed as a "celebration" following the negotiation of the five year contract with casino employers in the city. Harris thanked workers for "making a difference in the lives of people who you may never meet".[43] She was joined by Labor Secretary Julie Su, alongside a host of Nevada politicians who also spoke at the event. Many union members attended and wore bright red T-shirts, hats, and sweatshirts bearing the messages “Vegas Strong” and “One Job Should Be Enough.”[44]

Secretary-Treasurers

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1954: Al Bramlet[45]
1977: Ben Schmoutey[45]
1981: Jeff McColl[45]
1987: Jim Arnold[45]
2002: D. Taylor[45]
2012: Geoconda Argüello-Kline[46]
2022: Ted Pappageorge[47]

References

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  1. ^ "History". Culinary Union Local 226.
  2. ^ Underthun, Anders: Homage to Las Vegas Archived 2011-07-24 at the Wayback Machine, NIBR International: The Hotel Worker Project, 22.02.2010
  3. ^ Website of Culinary Workers Union Local 226 Archived 2008-01-16 at the Wayback Machine
  4. ^ Noah, Timothy (February 17, 2022). "Inside America's Greatest Modern Labor Success Story". The New Republic. ISSN 0028-6583. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
  5. ^ "How the Mighty Culinary Union Survived the Apocalypse". In These Times. December 15, 2021. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
  6. ^ "Las Vegas hospitality workers overwhelmingly permit union to call strike against hotels, casinos". Associated Press News. September 26, 2023.
  7. ^ Yamat, Rio (November 9, 2023). "Tentative deal is close with Las Vegas hotel workers union amid strike threat, says MGM's CEO". The Associated Press. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
  8. ^ "MGM Resorts reaches labor deal with Las Vegas unions, averts strike". Reuters. November 9, 2023. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
  9. ^ Tiwary, Shivansh; Oladipo, Doyinsola (November 10, 2023). "Wynn Resorts reaches deal with Las Vegas unions, avoiding strike". Reuters. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
  10. ^ "Las Vegas hospitality unions ratify 5-year contract with Caesars". Reuters. November 21, 2023. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
  11. ^ Ross, McKenna (November 21, 2023). "MGM workers cast 99 percent of votes for Culinary union contract". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
  12. ^ "Wynn Resorts employees overwhelmingly ratify Culinary Union contract". KVVU-TV. November 22, 2023. Retrieved November 23, 2023.
  13. ^ Forrest, Brett (November 22, 2023). "Breaking down the dollars: How much Culinary Union members make under new contracts". KSNV. Retrieved November 23, 2023.
  14. ^ "Culinary Union reaches tentative agreement with Circus Circus Las Vegas". KSNV. January 27, 2024. Retrieved September 25, 2024.
  15. ^ Rosenberg, Mark (January 27, 2024). "Las Vegas Culinary Union reaches another contract agreement with a Strip property". KVVU-TV. Retrieved September 25, 2024.
  16. ^ Stutz, Howard (January 26, 2024). "Reno's Circus Circus resort agrees to a contract with Culinary". Nevada Independent. Retrieved September 25, 2024.
  17. ^ a b Sebellius, Steve (September 20, 2024). "Culinary Union celebrates the end of their longest campaign". KTNV. Retrieved September 25, 2024.
  18. ^ Tisminezky, Ryan (September 19, 2024). "100% of Las Vegas Strip resorts recognize labor unions". KLAS. Retrieved September 25, 2024.
  19. ^ Hudspeth, Christian (August 30, 2024). "23 Culinary Union members arrested during picket outside Virgin Hotels Las Vegas". KTNV. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
  20. ^ a b c d Yamat, Rio (November 15, 2024). Associated Press [Hundreds of hotel workers go on strike at a casino near the Las Vegas Strip Hundreds of hotel workers go on strike at a casino near the Las Vegas Strip]. Retrieved November 15, 2024. {{cite news}}: Check |url= value (help); Missing or empty |title= (help)
  21. ^ Mateer, Noelle (May 28, 2024). "Virgin hotel labor dispute remains holdout in Las Vegas". Hotel Dive. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
  22. ^ a b Zalucki, Rachel (November 15, 2024). "Las Vegas union begins strike at Virgin Hotels after failed negotiations". KVVU-TV. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
  23. ^ Moreno-Meza, Fidel (November 15, 2024). "Hospitality workers launch strike at Virgin Hotels LasVegas". KSNV. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
  24. ^ Moreno-Meza, Fidel (November 19, 2024). "Culinary Union strike at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas enters fifth day". KSNV. Retrieved November 20, 2024.
  25. ^ "Culinary union strike continues against Virgin Hotels in Las Vegas". CBS News. November 20, 2024. Retrieved November 20, 2024.
  26. ^ Khalafi, Shawna (November 18, 2024). "Las Vegas Strip hotel workers picket in solidarity with Virgin Hotels strike". KVVU-TV. Retrieved November 20, 2024.
  27. ^ Doak, Kirvin (November 22, 2024). "Virgin Hotels Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024 Entertainment Listing". Nevada Business. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  28. ^ Verastigue, Justine (November 19, 2024). "Las Vegas Culinary Union to host civil disobedience at Virgin Hotels during strike". KVVU-TV. Retrieved November 20, 2024.
  29. ^ Ross, McKenna (November 22, 2024). "57 arrested in Culinary strike at Virgin Las Vegas". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved November 22, 2024. Nearly 60 Culinary Local 226 members were arrested Thursday in a "civil disobedience" demonstration in front of a striking hotel-casino. Hospitality workers at Virgin Hotels, a resort-casino located about a mile east of the Las Vegas Strip, were arrested for blocking traffic around 6 p.m. when about 57 people, including Secretary-Treasurer Ted Pappageorge and President Diana Valles, sat on Paradise Road in a nonviolent protest.
  30. ^ a b "In Election '22, the Reid Machine showed it is very much alive". The Nevada Independent. November 20, 2022. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
  31. ^ "Ralston Reports: Culinary Union could serve up a blue Nevada". Reno Gazette Journal. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
  32. ^ "Culinary Union canvassers seek to persuade voters one door knock at a time". The Nevada Independent. October 27, 2022. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
  33. ^ Obama gains key labor backing in Nevada, MSNBC/The Associated Press, January 9, 2008
  34. ^ [1], The New York Times, February 18, 2016
  35. ^ [2], The Hill, February 20, 2016
  36. ^ "Yvanna Cancela wants to fight for working families as member of Nevada Senate". Las Vegas Review-Journal. February 4, 2017. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
  37. ^ "Sisolak picks former Sen. Yvanna Cancela as chief of staff". AP NEWS. August 9, 2021. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
  38. ^ Jackson, Amanda (December 19, 2018). "Nevada becomes first state with majority female legislature". CNN. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
  39. ^ Bradner, Eric (February 13, 2020). "Nevada's powerful Culinary Union won't endorse in Democratic presidential race". CNN.
  40. ^ Messerly, Megan (February 11, 2020). "In new flyer, Culinary Union warns members Sanders would 'end' their health care if elected president". The Nevada Independent.
  41. ^ "Culinary Union officials face profanity-laced attacks after scorecard says Sanders would 'end' their health care". thenevadaindependent.com. February 14, 2020. Retrieved February 26, 2020.
  42. ^ Prakash, Nidhi (February 22, 2020). "Members Of Nevada's Largest Union Defied Their Leadership To Support Bernie Sanders". BuzzFeed News. Retrieved February 24, 2020.
  43. ^ "Kamala Harris Returns to Las Vegas to Thank Casino Workers". Casinos.com. January 7, 2024. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  44. ^ "Harris praises Culinary on contracts in Las Vegas visit". lasvegassun.com. January 4, 2024. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  45. ^ a b c d e Hayes, Paul Everett (2006). STRATEGIC INTEGRATION, CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION, AND COMPREHENSIVE CONTRACT CAMPAIGN EFFECTIVENESS: A CASE STUDY OF THE CULINARY WORKERS UNION, HERE LOCAL 226'S 2002 COMPREHENSIVE CONTRACT CAMPAIGN (PDF). Cornell University. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
  46. ^ "Service + Solidarity Spotlight: Culinary Union's Argüello-Kline Retires After 32 Years of Fighting for Union Members in Nevada". AFL-CIO. February 15, 2022. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
  47. ^ "Ted Pappageorge". Culinary Workers Union. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
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