MGM Resorts International CEO and President Bill Hornbuckle said in a statement shared with Forbes the company is “pleased to have reached a tentative agreement that averts a strike,” and that gives union employees “a well-earned boost to pay and benefits and reduces workloads.” Wynn Resorts has “had productive bargaining sessions” with the union that are continuing today, Michael Weaver, chief communications and brand officer for Wynn Resorts, said in a statement shared with Forbes. The Culinary Workers Union had been unsuccessful in negotiations with the three biggest casino chains since April, and set a strike deadline a week ago for November 10. Before the deal, union members at the casinos earned around $26 an hour and had health insurance, according to the Associated Press. Meanwhile, three casino giants-MGM, Caesars and Wynn-operate many of the biggest casinos on the Las Vegas Strip. The Culinary Workers Union and Bartenders Union represent around 53,000 workers in Las Vegas, according to Reuters. In this round of negotiations, Cassidy said the focus will be around wages, benefits and job security.Įven though the casino and its workers have had a difficult couple years, Cassidy said the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG), which owns the casino managed by Caesars, has money behind it.The tentative deals with Caesars and MGM were reached just days before the Friday strike deadline, which was set for five days before the Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix weekend starts on November 15. We have people that are really struggling.'

'We have people that are going to food banks. 'We have people, unfortunately, that have been out of work for over two years and don't have any income coming in whatsoever,' said Cassidy. He wants the provincial and federal governments to offer more support to employees who no longer qualify for employment insurance. Many have not worked at all since the pandemic began and the casino was shuttered due to lockdowns.ĭave Cassidy, president of Unifor Local 444, said pandemic losses and the long closure of Caesars has had a big impact on workers. The union represents about 2,200 workers at the casino, about half of which are still on layoff due to pandemic restrictions. Caesars Windsor employees rally for government support for laid off workersĬontract negotiations began last month between Unifor and Caesars management.

Casino union strike update