A protest organized by nearly two dozen Culinary Union members at Virgin Las Vegas took a dramatic turn on Thursday evening, resulting in arrests for trespassing.
According to union officials, the protest started peacefully on Harmon Avenue but escalated when workers and two union officials moved to the resort’s porte-cochere and refused to move. This led to the arrest of about 23 protesters, with Culinary Union Secretary-Treasurer Ted Pappageorge and President Diana Valles among them.
In a statement, Metro Lt. Nick Jones explained, “During a Culinary Union protest, several culinary members entered into Virgin Hotel and Casino property. Virgin management asked them to leave which they refused. Virgin management asked for LVMPD to assist with trespass. After the protesters refused to leave property, they were placed under arrest for trespass. 23 protesters were subsequently cited and released.”
The labor dispute between the resort, located just a mile west of the Strip, and the Culinary Union has been ongoing since the previous contract expired 15 months ago.
“We took negotiations to the streets this evening to send a clear message to Virgin Las Vegas that it’s time to do right by their workers,” Pappageorge stated in a news release. He also mentioned that the latest negotiations in July did not result in any pay increases for the first three years of a proposed five-year contract.
Back in May, over 700 hospitality workers went on strike against Virgin Las Vegas, marking the first Culinary Union strike in 22 years. The strike lasted 24/7 over 48 hours and significantly impacted the resort’s operations.
In response to the ongoing dispute, the Culinary Union has urged customers and community allies to refrain from crossing the picket line at Virgin Las Vegas. They are also encouraging visitors to cancel reservations, check out of the property, and opt for union accommodations.
Virgin Hotels Las Vegas is operated by JC Hospitality, LLC, in partnership with Juniper Capital Partners LLC, Fengate Asset Management, and the LiUNA Pension Fund of Eastern and Central Canada.
For more information, contact Marvin Clemons at mclemons@reviewjournal.com.
