The Culinary and Bartenders Unions are upping the ante in their negotiations for new contracts with MGM Resorts International, Caesars Entertainment Corporation, and Wynn/Encore Resorts. On Thursday, more than 2,000 members took to the streets to let the biggest casino companies in Las Vegas know that they’re ready to strike if they can’t come to terms for a new five-year deal soon.
I was out on the Strip last night and captured a quick vid of protestors, assembled outside the New York-New York casino, an MGM property. It was one of several picket lines set up around the Las Vegas Strip on Thursday, as union members made good on their promise to pump up the heat on their employers.
Protestors carried premade signs saying “MGM Resorts: Contract Now!” in English and Spanish. One handmade placard I saw said, “One Job Should Be Enough: Better Pay for a Better Life.”
A call-and-response routine ensued:
“What do we want? … Contract!
“When do we want it? … Now!”
“If we don’t get no contract … they don’t get no peace!”
“No contract … no peace!”
Photo and video by Dan Michalski / Casinos.com.
Dan Michalski is a longtime journalist based in Las Vegas with nearly 20 years as a writer and editor covering poker, casino gaming and sports betting. As founder of Pokerati and an award-winning blogger, podcaster and news reporter, Dan has worked tirelessly to elevate the standards of journalism in gaming media. He also has served as a gaming industry consultant and holds advanced certificates in gaming regulation from UNLV. When not thinking about media and casinos, he can be found on the tennis courts, where he has captained two teams to USTA national championships, and one to second place.
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