When The Cosmopolitan Las Vegas opened in December 2010, the Culinary Local 226 Union had plans of manning the 5000-person non-gaming work force. Ultimately, a contract was never finalized, and the previous owners, Germany-based Deutsche Bank opted to pass, feeling a union agreement could hurt their chances at a sale.
Not long after, Culinary workers took to the streets, protesting the decision in front of all the Cosmopolitan’s entrances, shouting insults such as “scabs,” “losers,” and “beached whales” to customers.
In just a shade over a year after the protests began, Blackstone Real Estate Partners VII purchased the resort for $1.73 billion, and decided to extend an olive branch to the Culinary Union. Culinary Secretary-Treasurer Geoconda Arguello-Kline expressed exhilaration at the fact Cosmopolitan employees who want union representation are able to hold onto their jobs and health insurance.
Blackstone’s Global Head of Real Estate Jon Gray, said in a statement released by the Culinary, “Blackstone has a long and positive relationship with UNITE HERE, and we will make sure the Cosmopolitan employees continue to excel in providing the best customer experience for guests.
Blackstone, in a separate statement lauded the resort’s management for continuing to “negotiate in good faith with the Culinary Union,” having positive conversations with employees and moving in the right direction.
Newly appointed CEO of the Cosmopolitan Bill McBeath told the Nevada Gaming Commission, “I’ve never been more excited to be part of this property.” McBeath, a longtime gaming executive, and former president of CityCenter, is ecstatic to enter into this next chapter.
