Workers in Las Vegas, United States, will picket the casinos MGM Resorts MGM.N and Caesars Entertainment CZR.
The action takes place this Thursday, the 12th, for the first time in almost 20 years, according to information from the union. According to CNN, workers are even analyzing the possibility of a strike.
Culinary workers and bartenders unions are trying to reach a new contract with better wages and benefits, saying casino operators are reaping huge profits.
In the last negotiations, the possibility of a strike was enough to allow negotiations and an agreement. Last Monday, the 9th, union representatives stated that negotiations have been slow this time.
“We’re not seeing anything that’s sufficient to try to prevent a strike, and that’s unfortunate,” said Ted Pappageorge, secretary-treasurer of the Culinary Workers Union.
Unions have asked Las Vegas casino patrons not to cross picket lines.
Now, unions are calling for increased wages, stronger protections against new technologies that could put jobs at risk, lower cleaning quotas and safety improvements.
MGM Resorts, Caesars Entertainment and Wynn Resorts did not immediately respond to a request for comment from local media.
MGM has claimed that every 1% increase in wages would add about $10 million to labor costs, according to Truist analyst Barry Jonas.
Jonas projects the pay raises could cost Caesars between $40 million and $60 million a year and double that for MGM based on headcount.
Las Vegas is hosting 2E Las Vegas
While a strike may occur at the casinos, 2E Las Vegas is also taking place in Gambling City. The meeting takes place between the 9th and 12th of October, at The Venetian Expo and will bring together the biggest players in the global gaming industry.
G2E Las Vegas has the participation of more than 25,000 gaming industry professionals, the presence of 350 exhibitors representing more than 100 countries and regions, and a program of 70 knowledge-sharing sessions.
