Summary:
- Employees were arrested for sitting in the street.
- Cars were blocked on the Strip in both directions for around 30 minutes.
- Almost five dozen people were cited for disturbing the peace.
Unionized casino employees are not playing around when it comes to securing a new union deal.
Yesterday, many of the hotel workers headed to the Las Vegas Strip during rush hour to oppose MGM Resorts International, Caesars Entertainment, and Wynn Resorts. The goal was to raise awareness against these companies and help push contract negotiations.
Sitting Down in the Street
The employees hosted a sit-down where people filled the street in red t-shirts, blocking traffic on the busy Las Vegas Strip for around 30 minutes. The event took place across from Caesars Palace and the Bellagio, with police officers arriving shortly after to take protestors into custody.
Once it was over, around 58 people were cited for disturbing the peace. Officials of the police department did say that the protestors were peaceful; they just blocked the street and caused major issues with the traffic flow of the busy Strip.
The casino union workers in Las Vegas have not gone on strike yet, but it’s imminent. Voting has already taken place, and the union is approved to strike. Thousands of employees are ready to leave the job if they are not given the type of contract they are looking for, with better wages and benefits.
Visitors to the area do not want to get involved with the casinos connected to the strike, and many who spoke with the media pointed out that people will not want to travel to the area without employees in place. The three main casino providers will be hit hard if negotiations do not result in a new compact and employees walk off the job.
Strike in Detroit
While Las Vegas casino employees are considering going on strike due to negotiation deals’ slow progress, Detroit union workers are already on strike. Around 3,700 in the Motor City walked out days ago and are not going back until a new deal is made.
The employees want the same thing as Las Vegas union members, better pay and benefits. The employees have pointed out how they stayed with the casinos during the COVID-19 pandemic and kept the venues afloat. The casinos are doing quite well and should be willing to provide more options for employees as they reap the benefits of their hard work.
Casinos in Detroit are trying to stay open, but it is quite difficult due to the training and licensing requirements of certain employees. A new deal has yet to be made but negotiations are ongoing and hopefully the two will be able to come to a consensus in a short time frame.
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