Virgin Hotels Las Vegas unionized workers walked out of their jobs on Friday, November 15, and have yet to return to work. Some 700 employees who are members of the Culinary Union Local 226 chapter are rotating picket lines outside the property.
Union workers are protesting the lack of an offer on what they consider a suitable new contract after nearly two years without one. Virgin Hotels Las Vegas is one of the only large casinos in Sin City without a union-contracted workforce. However, it seems adamant on not backing down, and is now advertising for temporary workers to fill the gap.
Guests will be rolling into town for the F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix next week, adding pressure to proceedings.
“The contract at Virgin Las Vegas expired on June 1, 2023, and workers are fighting for a new contract that secures a better future for their families. That’s why the Culinary Union has taken workers out on strike at the Virgin Las Vegas on Friday, November 15th, and urges Las Vegas locals and customers to not cross the strike line in solidarity with the workers,” said Secretary-Treasurer for the Culinary Union Ted Pappageorge in a press release.
The Strike
It has taken several years of failed negotiations for Virgin Las Vegas and the union’s relationship to deteriorate to this point. The union went on a smaller-scale strike at the property for two days earlier this year, but ended up back at work after two days with negotiations apparently progressing. Clearly, they did not end up progressing far enough.
The influential Culinary Union 556 has tens of thousands of members across the Nevada hospitality and gambling business. Around this time in 2023, it almost staged a wide-scale strike on the Las Vegas Strip. However, major operators agreed to a new contract at the midnight hour before a strike deadline.
Union leaders say the Virgin Las Vegas contract offer does not match up to those offered by similar-scale casino resorts just off the Las Vegas Strip.
Virgin Las Vegas representatives said that its financial situation meant it could not offer comparable contracts. It also defended its right to hire temporary workers during the strike, positions sometimes called “scabbing” by picketing workers.
“Many of the individuals applying to work with Virgin Hotels Las Vegas had been laid off by other properties following their acceptance of the Culinary Union’s economically unsustainable contract,” the casino hotel told FOX5 Las Vegas.
Recent Troubles
Virgin Las Vegas uses the brand of Virgin Hotels, a British-based multinational conglomerate in various businesses.
The union says it is operated by LiUNA Pension Fund of Eastern and Central Canada (LPFCEC), Fengate Asset Management, and Juniper Capital. It’s Wikipedia page and various other sources say it is operated by JC Hospitality.
The casino is openly operated separately to the hotel and resort, despite being under the same brand. It is run by the Mohegan Tribe of Connecticut, although the partnership is soon ending.
The casino resort was also recently the subject of a comprehensive video review by popular Sin City documentarian JacobsLifeinVegas. The YouTube Las Vegas casino expert gave it a mixed review, although the video had a less-than-positive title.
He said the casino hotel’s gaming floor was regularly very quiet. He also criticized what he said was a confusing rewards program, the highly uncommon double zero roulette wheel in the high limit room, and the fact that it was difficult to know who actually operates the resort.
Jacob did, however — interestingly enough, given the current strike — consistently praise the resort’s staff, as well as some of its dining options and amenities. One of those restaurants he highlighted, Casa Calavera, is currently closed by the strikes.
Virgin Las Vegas’ casino is in the process of ending its partnership with the Mohegan Tribe of Connecticut, who currently run the operation. That may explain some of the differences between traditional, established Las Vegas models and its offerings.
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.
