Historic Unionization: All Casinos Along the Las Vegas Strip Unite for First Time Ever
All Major Las Vegas Strip Casinos Unionize in Historic Labor Victory
In a landmark achievement for the hospitality industry, every major casino on the Las Vegas Strip, including iconic resorts like The Venetian and Fontainebleau, became unionized by 2024-2025. This significant labor organizing effort was driven by workers seeking better wages, benefits, and job security amid a recovering post-pandemic hospitality sector.
The unionization of these casinos marked the first time in history that every Las Vegas Strip casino was united under a single labor agreement. The Nevada-based Culinary Workers Union, which now represents employees at every Las Vegas casino, secured new contracts for its members, offering better pay, paid leave, pensions, and family health insurance.
The Venetian, a casino that had previously held out against unionization for its 25+ years of existence, conceded to unionization in August 2024 following a change in ownership. The Fontainebleau, a relatively new or redeveloped property, also conceded to unionization around the same time.
Threats of a strike by about 35,000 hospitality employees in Las Vegas in 2023 led to historic deals being signed with Caesars Entertainment, Wynn Resorts, and MGM Resorts. These deals paved the way for the unionization of the Venetian and the Fontainebleau, and ultimately, every major Las Vegas Strip casino.
The unionization of the Venetian and the Fontainebleau, along with others, is a significant shift in the landscape of the Las Vegas Strip. The resorts, now unionized, may be better positioned to retain and attract employees, potentially improving service quality and customer satisfaction. However, the impact on tourism levels and the overall economy of Las Vegas remains to be seen.
Despite the unionization, the hospitality industry in Las Vegas continues to face challenges. Tourism levels have dropped by 11% year-on-year, as of June, and resorts are struggling to fill rooms. The hours and jobs of the workforce in Las Vegas casinos are under threat, but the union agreements include job protection for employees, with laid-off employees given priority for future roles.
As more details emerge about the specific events and conditions leading to this historic labor achievement, it will provide valuable insights into the strategic organizing timeline and worker actions that culminated in the unionization of every major Las Vegas Strip casino.
Casinos like The Venetian and Fontainebleau, once iconic symbols of non-unionized casino culture in Las Vegas,have joined the ranks of unionized establishments on the Las Vegas Strip following a Change in ownership and the pressure of historic labor agreements. Simultaneously, the entire casino-and-gambling industry in Las Vegas has been transformed by a union culture that offers employees improved wages, benefits, and job security.
