A group of former workers from the recently closed Mirage Las Vegas casino resort have filed a labor complaint against their own union, claiming they were not fully informed about the severance packages they received.
The workers officially registered their dissatisfaction with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), which mediates worker-union disputes across the U.S.
The workers say leaders of the powerful Culinary Union 226 did not allow them fair access to their own severance packages before they were handed out, and pressured them into accepting a deal without knowing the full terms.
The NLRB sent a letter to Mirage Las Vegas’ former management, saying they could be called in to provide information on the merits of the allegations.
The Allegations
The complaint was filed with the NLRB on August 6. It was only revealed this week after a freedom of information request from journalists at the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
“During the past six months, the above-named labor organization, through its officers, agents, and representatives, has restrained and coerced employees in the exercise of the rights guaranteed in Section 7 of the National Labor Relations Act, by its actions, including, but not limited to: refusing and (sic) accept the grievances of its bargaining unit employees concerning their status as employees and the closing of the Mirage Hotel and Casino for arbitrary, discriminatory, or in bad faith,” the filing says.
Employees of the Mirage were offered the choice of two severance packages. One offered $2,000 per year of service, adjusted for part-time workers. The other was a lesser retention bonus, offset by a priority rehiring system for when the new Hard Rock Las Vegas opens on the Mirage site in 2027.
The former employees behind the complaint say the differences between them were not made clear, and some felt pressured into choosing the $2,000 per year package.
Some also allege that the union did not make it clear to part-time workers that their packages would be prorated. Of those who took the priority rehire package, some say they were unaware it included a clause that their rehire priority would expire if Hard Rock Las Vegas doesn’t open by mid-2029.
The Mirage’s Closure
The Mirage Las Vegas closed earlier in 2024 after 35 years on the Las Vegas Strip. The iconic venue was the first of a new wave of mega casino resort hotels in Sin City when it opened in 1989.
It is set to be replaced by a Hard Rock Las Vegas casino resort operated by Hard Rock International, which is owned by the Seminole Tribe of Florida.
The Mirage’s Las Vegas Strip adjacent volcano attraction has already been torn down. Hard Rock plans to put up a giant, guitar-shaped glass hotel tower in its place.
Current developments have already seen the majority of the Mirage’s fixtures and fittings sold and its giant neon sign removed.
David is an online casino expert who specializes in online slots and boasts over 10 years experience writing about iGaming. He has written for a wide range of notable publications, including eSports Insider and WordPlay Magazine.
David graduated Derby University with a BA Degree in English Literature and Creative Writing.
