Las Vegas Strip Breakthrough: Venetian and Palazzo Workers Secure Historic First Contract
Las Vegas Strip Workers Secure Tentative Deal with Venetian and Palazzo Resorts
In a significant development for Las Vegas hospitality workers, thousands of employees at the Venetian and Palazzo resorts have reached a tentative agreement with management. The Culinary Workers Union announced the deal on social media platform X, marking the first-ever contract for workers at the Italian-inspired complex.
The agreement, finalized just before 6:30 a.m., covers over 4,000 hotel and casino workers. However, the deal still requires approval from the union’s rank and file members before it can be officially implemented.
One Venetian housekeeper, speaking about the pending contract, expressed pride in the achievement. “This is a historical moment for us,” the employee stated, emphasizing the importance of collective action and voicing concerns.
While specific terms of the proposed contract have not been disclosed, recent agreements across the Las Vegas Strip have set a precedent for substantial improvements in worker compensation and conditions. Previous contracts awarded a 32% pay increase over five years to 40,000 workers, resulting in an average hourly wage of $35 by the end of the contract period. Prior to these new agreements, workers typically earned about $26 per hour with benefits.
The Culinary Union has described recent contracts as their “best ever,” ending prolonged labor disputes and averting a potentially historic strike on the Strip. Major wins for workers included reduced housekeeping workloads and enhanced job security in the face of technological advancements.
The Venetian and Palazzo, known for their distinctive architecture and features such as indoor canals with gondolas, have been a prominent fixture on the Las Vegas Strip since the Venetian’s opening in 1999.
Ted Pappageorge, the union’s secretary-treasurer and lead negotiator, addressed workers in a casino ballroom, announcing the agreement and highlighting the significance of securing a union contract after 25 years at the Venetian.
This latest agreement continues a trend of successful negotiations between hospitality workers and major Las Vegas resorts, potentially setting a new standard for labor relations in the city’s crucial tourism industry.
