Las Vegas Strip: Culinary Union members arrested for traffic obstruction during pre-strike rally

Approximately 75 members of the Culinary Local 226 union were arrested on Wednesday for obstructing traffic at the heart of the Las Vegas Strip, intensifying the public pressure on resort employers.

The incident unfolded as negotiations for a new five-year contract between three of Las Vegas' major hospitality employers, MGM Resorts International, Caesars Entertainment, and Wynn Encore Resort, were scheduled for this week and the next, Las Vegas Review-Journal said.

During a pre-strike rally, hundreds of participants engaged in what was described as "mass action civil disobedience." Shop stewards, who play a pivotal role in the negotiation process, voluntarily occupied the street in front of the Bellagio and Paris Las Vegas, disrupting traffic in both directions for approximately 15 minutes. They could be identified by their yellow armbands and T-shirts, which bore statements about their impending arrest in relation to the contract dispute.

Union officials have confirmed that the arrested members will be processed by the Metropolitan Police Department and were subsequently released on the same night, the report said. The union will provide legal representation for those arrested.

Notably, Las Vegas union members were joined by striking casino workers from MGM Grand Detroit. The Detroit Casino Council, comprising 3,700 employees from five unions working at three casinos, has been on strike since October 17.

"We have a history and tradition here in Las Vegas of civil disobedience. That means when you believe that there's something unjust going on, you will send a message and take an arrest in a peaceful, nonviolent action. To send a message that we're disciplined, we're organized, and we're strong, and we're ready to fight," said Ted Pappageorge, secretary-treasurer and chief negotiator for the union during a Monday press call, as reported by KSNV.

This recent rally marked the second public gathering this month, with workers having previously picketed in front of Paris and other hotels on October 12. While no official strike deadline has been set, Pappageorge indicated that one may be declared as early as next week against any of the three employers. Additional strike deadlines, specific to independent Strip operators and downtown properties, could be implemented over the next six weeks to two months.

Negotiations between the union and MGM officials took place on Monday. According to Pappageorge, there has been some progress on economic issues, but other critical negotiation points, such as the increased use of job-replacing technology, on-the-job safety measures, daily room cleaning protocols, and adjustments to the "no-strike" clause at non-union restaurants, have not yet met the union's satisfaction. Further negotiations are scheduled with Caesars on Friday and with Wynn on Monday.

Culinary Workers Union Local 226 is one of the largest and most prominent unions in the country. As per the Vegas Eater, the Culinary Union represents 60,000 workers across Nevada, out of which 53,000 members are based in Las Vegas and are in active negotiations with casino and hotel employers for a new five-year contract. As of September 15th, roughly 40,000 workers are working under an expired contract.