Las Vegas Strip becomes 100% unionized after Venetian workers secure historic contract

The Las Vegas Strip became fully unionized this month after more than 4,000 workers at the Venetian and Palazzo ratified their first contract with the Culinary Workers Union Local 226, marking a significant milestone for local unions. The development was celebrated on Thursday at an event that featured union leaders and employees.

The contract, ratified by 99% of workers, covers employees in food, beverage, housekeeping, and other departments at the two resorts. The agreement raises the average hourly wage from $26 to $35 and includes access to union benefits such as health care, pensions, and training at the Culinary Academy of Las Vegas.

The deal also gives workers a voice in how new technology is introduced into the workplace, said the union, a growing concern in an industry increasingly reliant on automation.

Acting U.S. Labor Secretary Julie Su attended the celebration at the Venetian, likening the agreement to a "marriage" between workers and management. “They (workers) want the employer to do well, and that shared success is the ... future of the romance that you all solidified here today,” Su said.

Ted Pappageorge, Secretary-Treasurer of the union, praised the resort's new ownership, which took over after the death of former owner Sheldon Adelson in 2021. He noted that management recognized the value of workers in maintaining the Venetian's status as a premier destination.

“In order for the Venetian to regain its position and be a preeminent destination resort ... ownership has recognized that workers are the most valuable asset,” Pappageorge said.

Patrick Nichols, CEO of the Venetian, said the new agreement was a reflection of changing times and the importance of listening to employees. “This wasn’t just about adapting to change, it was about moving through it ... to strengthen the trust we built with our team members,” Nichols said.

Negotiations moved quickly, with a tentative agreement reached just a year after a neutrality agreement between the union and management, according to Su.

With the Las Vegas Strip now 100% unionized, Pappageorge pointed to the broader goal of organizing workers in non-unionized sectors, particularly freestanding corporate restaurants on the Strip. However, Pappageorge singled out Station Casinos for refusing to sign a similar neutrality agreement, saying: “Station Casinos should be feeling pretty lonely right now ... the only ones left not respecting workers’ rights.”

The new contract at the Venetian includes some of the largest wage increases the union has secured, along with additional protections for workers on issues such as sexual harassment, technology, and immigration.

Carmen Vargas, a Venetian employee and member of the negotiating committee, reflected on the hard-fought battle. “We are all tired, but we know that we are fighting for ourselves and a better future for our own family,” Vargas said.