- The Washington Times - Wednesday, November 8, 2023

Unionized culinary workers in Las Vegas have reached a tentative agreement with Caesars Entertainment, just two days before the strike deadline.

The Culinary Union announced early Wednesday that a deal had been reached.

“After 20-straight hours of negotiations, Culinary Union is pleased to announce a Tentative Agreement towards a new 5-year contract that has been reached q/@CaesarsEnt for approx 10,000 hospitality workers at 9 Vegas properties,” the union posted on X.

Union members must vote on the contract before it is ratified. Voting is expected to take place later this month.

The contract details are not yet public, but the union has demanded improved wages, lighter workloads and improved workplace conditions.

The agreement comes after tumultuous negotiations. While the casino executives remained optimistic, rank-and-file union members staged walkouts and picket lines along the Las Vegas Strip, with some arrested for blocking traffic.

The negotiations are not over for the casinos or the Culinary Union: Workers at MGM and Wynn Resorts are still without a contract. Union negotiators are expected to meet with casino executives this week to continue talks, with the Caesars agreement likely serving as a template.

If a deal is not reached by the Friday deadline, about 25,000 workers could go on strike.

• Vaughn Cockayne can be reached at vcockayne@washingtontimes.com.

Copyright © 2024 The Washington Times, LLC. Click here for reprint permission.

Please read our comment policy before commenting.