Union officials announced a tentative agreement that would see the Venetian and Palazzo unionize for the first time. [Image: Shutterstock.com]

The remaining casinos

Workers at the Venetian and Palazzo in Las Vegas are on the way to becoming part of a union for the first time. Bartenders Union Local 165 and Culinary Union Local 226 confirmed this tentative five-year contract on Tuesday morning following a year of negotiations.

the last two properties on the Las Vegas Strip to have not joined a union

The Venetian and Palazzo were the last two properties on the Las Vegas Strip to have not joined a union, with the Venetian opening in 1999 and the Palazzo in 2007. The founder of the two casinos’ former owner, Las Vegas Sands, was always adamant that its workers couldn’t engage in collective bargaining.

Apollo Global Management currently operates the Palazzo and Venetian, and it didn’t stand in the way of workers joining a union.

Mimicking other agreements

The 4,000 hospitality workers at the VICI Properties-owned resort still have to vote the contract through. If they approve it, it will see workers receiving a pay bump, lower workloads, and healthcare benefits.

The VICI Properties real estate investment trust (REIT) bought the Venetian and Palazzo real estate assets in 2022 for $4bn, while Apollo paid $2.25bn for the operations.

It is reportedly similar to deals that the unions struck around the turn of the year with Wynn Resorts, Caesars Entertainment, and MGM Resorts International. These covered 18 properties and about 40,000 workers. As part of these deals, staff received a commitment of a 32% pay rise across the five-year period, raising the standard hourly rate from $26 to $35.

More to do

Commenting on the landmark deal, Culinary Union Local 226 Secretary-Treasurer Ted Pappageorge said it is a “testament to the power of worker solidarity and determination.” He explained how the agreement will ensure workers get fair wages, job security, and proper working conditions.

in the middle of tense negotiations with Virgin Hotels

The next challenge for the union is negotiating similar contracts for workers at the newest resorts on the Strip, the Fontainebleau Las Vegas, and the Sphere. It is also in the middle of tense negotiations with Virgin Hotels.