Las Vegas police arrested 57 striking casino workers on Thursday during a protest outside Virgin Hotels Las Vegas. The Culinary Union, representing the workers, announced the arrests on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Protest Over Stalled Contract Talks
Hundreds of casino workers at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas walked off their jobs last week, demanding a new five-year union pay contract.
The workers, represented by the Culinary Union, have been in negotiations with the hotel management, but talks have stalled, leading to the strike.
Workers at @VirginHotelsLV deserve a first-class contract with fair wage increases, and they are on strike to win it. As Virgin Las Vegas workers remain on strike, @Culinary226 has their back every step of the way, and we will win. #OneJobShouldBeEnough pic.twitter.com/4QTgCbbSzw
— Ted Pappageorge, Culinary Union (@TedP226) November 21, 2024
Union Leaders Among Those Arrested
Images and videos posted on X by the union showed members blocking a road in front of the hotel. Some images also showed police handcuffing union members.
“Culinary Union members on strike outside @VirginHotelsLV while Culinary Union members are getting arrested in non-violent civil disobedience,” the union said in one of the posts.
Culinary Union workers at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas — right around Turn #1 — tried to up the stakes as race day draws near by putting on a good show with @LVMPD #f1lasvegas pic.twitter.com/FpVJoVLqyM
— Casinos.com (@casinosc0m) November 22, 2024
The union’s leadership, including President Diana Valles, were also among those arrested by police. “This is the only way for the company to understand that we mean business,” said Pamela Holmes, a lead usher at Virgin Hotels, before her arrest.
Road Reopened After Arrests
Las Vegas police announced that the road next to the casino, which was earlier closed due to protests, had reopened after the arrests. The city is hosting the Formula One Grand Prix this weekend, adding to the urgency of clearing the road.
I spoke with Culinary Union members as they started to block off the street on Paradise in front of Virgin Hotel. This was their civil disobedience action and plan to get arrested to put pressure on the property to increase their wages.
FULL: https://t.co/IEpVl4hxTl@News3LV pic.twitter.com/0XGSJB1Nkc
— Tiffany Lane (@TiffanyNews3LV) November 22, 2024
Virgin Hotels Las Vegas is owned by JC Hospitality, along with Juniper Capital Partners, Virgin Group, and others. The hotel management has yet to comment on the incident.
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