Las Vegas: Virgin Hotels submits "final offer" to unionized workers following brief strike

Virgin Hotels has issued its "last, best and final offer" to unionized workers at its off-Strip property, following negotiations that lasted approximately five months. The offer comes in response to a two-day strike by the workers, which began on May 10, and to what the property’s management describes as stalled negotiations.

The announcement was made on Wednesday, with property management revealing details of its latest offer concerning the five-year contract with Culinary Local 226 and Bartenders Local 165. This follows a three-month delay after other unionized competitors in the region had already finalized their labor agreements.

Union members initiated the strike earlier this month, expressing dissatisfaction with the property’s management, specifically criticizing the lack of proposed wage increases in the new contract.

In a statement released on Wednesday, Virgin Hotels addressed the situation: “We do not believe the Union has bargained in good faith. The Union has made misleading statements to our team members and to the press about the negotiations and the proposals we have put before them.

"Despite our best intentions, the Union has chosen to engage in ‘take it or leave it’ bargaining. Their tactics have made it impossible to negotiate a complete agreement. Their tactics are hurting our team members. Due to this, we have made a Last, Best, and Final Offer in an effort to reach a fair resolution.”

As of now, Virgin officials have not provided further details regarding the specifics of their proposal. Additionally, a union spokeswoman, representing roughly 700 of the 1,700 employees at the property, has declined to comment on the hotel’s statement. She also confirmed that no further negotiation meetings have been scheduled as of Thursday afternoon.

Earlier this month, Virgin Hotels filed an unfair labor practice complaint against the union with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), echoing the same allegations mentioned in their Wednesday statement.

According to the NLRB, final offers in collective bargaining are submitted for a vote. Should the union reject the final offer, the parties could reach a formal impasse, allowing employers to impose the terms and conditions of the last offer while continuing to negotiate.