The Las Vegas locals of the Culinary and Bartenders unions have secured agreements with MGM Resorts International and Caesars Entertainment that will preserve health benefits and seniority for their members through early 2021.
The pact affects some 36,000 working and furloughed employees at 22 Strip properties and runs until March 1, the unions said.
The unions, representing housekeepers and other hotel workers, bartenders, kitchen and wait staff, cocktail servers and valet parkers, have been negotiating protections with several operators since mid-March, when Nevada’s casinos went into a state-ordered lockdown that lasted until June 4.
In addition to paid benefits the accord with MGM and Caesars includes: 10 paid days during a quarantine initiated by the Southern Nevada Health District or an employer; unpaid leave of absence for up to six weeks; a prohibition against disciplining workers who call out sick or who are in quarantine due to Covid-19 symptoms; opportunities for workers to accept different jobs if more employees are needed; and training for managers on how to respond when workers approach them with positive test results for the virus.
Caesars CEO Tom Reeg called the agreement “an important step in continuing to ensure our team members and their families are protected during these unpredictable times.”
Bill Hornbuckle, president and CEO of MGM, which last week cut some 18,000 jobs in Las Vegas and nationwide, said, “We thank the Culinary Union for their partnership during these difficult times and look forward to when we can welcome back more of our colleagues.”
The unions said they are trying to negotiate similar agreements for another 24,000 members at resorts on the Strip and Downtown.
