Dozens of Las Vegas Hotel Workers Arrested at Union Rally, Strike Looms Amid Contract Negotiations

Culinary Workers Union members seeking "the largest wage increases ever negotiated" disrupt traffic; Las Vegas police arrest 58 people, with 75 anticipated for civil disobedience charges.

Thousands of workers from the Culinary Workers Union disrupted rush-hour traffic on the Las Vegas Strip to draw attention to negotiations with three major casino companies: MGM Resorts International, Caesars Entertainment and Wynn Resorts. The protest resulted in 58 arrests.
The Culinary Workers Union, the largest labor union in Nevada with about 60,000 members, had already voted last month to authorize a strike if agreements are not reached. Contracts for approximately 40,000 members in Las Vegas recently expired, and negotiations over pay and working conditions have been ongoing for months.
The union is reported to be seeking 'the largest wage increases ever negotiated', although specific figures have not been disclosed. All members currently receive health insurance and earn around $26 hourly, including benefits.
A strike deadline has not been set but union leaders have warned that thousands of workers could walk off the job in the coming weeks if the latest round of negotiations proves unfruitful.
Protestors' willingness to be arrested is seen as a testament to workers' resolve and frustration with the casino companies. The disruption also serves as a reminder of the immense impact a potential strike could have, as casino tourism could be significantly affected.