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The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas is shown at sunset from the roof of Planet Hollywood on Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2010.
Published Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2013 | 10:37 a.m.
Updated Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2013 | 1:56 p.m.
For the first time in a decade, members of the Culinary Union are planning to picket on the Las Vegas Strip, as contract negotiations remain at a standstill with the Cosmopolitan.
Union officials say the pickets planned for Thursday come after 18 months of negotiations with resort owner Deutsche Bank to establish a contract for workers. Negotiations have stalled on issues including wages, health care costs and job security. The Cosmopolitan is one of the few casinos on the Strip where employees are working without a contract.
"What workers believe is that if smaller places like the Riviera and Tropicana can pay workers decent wages and health care like other bigger properties on the Strip, there's no reason why the Cosmopolitan should be the exception," said Yvanna Cancela, spokeswoman for the union. "The workers are asking for same standards that have been established on the Strip over the past decade."
The pickets are scheduled from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday.
The Cosmopolitan is the only major casino in Las Vegas in negotiations to establish a contract with Culinary 226, union officials said. A majority of Cosmopolitan service employees signed cards in 2010 saying they wished to have union representation.
"We understand that it is the union's right to picket," said Amy Rossetti, Cosmopolitan vice president of public relations. "The Cosmopolitan has been negotiating in good faith and will continue to do so."
C.J. Harry, 40, a bartender at the Henry at the Cosmopolitan, said many minor parts of a contract have been agreed upon, but major issues remain unresolved.
"I came here from a union job, so I know the difference," said Harry, who has bartended in Las Vegas for 12 years and joined the Cosmopolitan when it opened two years ago. "I continue to work there in hopes we can get a contract. It's a good place to work. We just want to have conditions that are equal to everywhere else on the Strip."
Employees have agreed not to ask for pay increases for several years but want terms for issues such as seniority.
Also, under most union contracts, the resorts pay health care costs. At the Cosmopolitan, employees share those costs.
"My opinion is they are negotiating, but it's going much slower than most parties have anticipated," Harry said. "Tomorrow we're going to go out in front of the Cosmopolitan and show them we're ready to have a contract."
It is the first time the union has held pickets on the Strip since 2003, during negotiations with the former Aladdin, now Planet Hollywood.
The Culinary Union represents employees including food and beverage, house keeping and other service staff.
The only large casinos on or near the Strip where the Culinary Union does not represent employees are the Quad, the Palazzo and Venetian, the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino and the Palms. Workers at those resorts have not asked to join the union.
The Culinary Union also does not represent workers at most properties off the Strip. For years, the union has battled Station Casinos over organizing employees. The biggest dispute has been over how to ascertain whether employees want to organize. Station wants its workers to hold an election by secret ballot, while the union prefers a card check, as was done at the Cosmopolitan.
The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas dares to be different. From the hotel’s red reservations desks to fine art found throughout the resort, The Cosmopolitan’s signature style is helping to pave its own path on the Las Vegas Strip.
Upon entering the resort, you’re greeted by pillars of video boards playing video art by Digital Kitchen and David Rockwell Studio exclusively produced for The Cosmopolitan. Just beyond that, you’ll find all your favorite casino games on the resort’s 100,000-square-foot casino floor.
The Cosmopolitan’s rooms standout as the resort’s most unique feature. About 2,220 of The Cosmopolitan’s 2,995 rooms have 6-foot deep terraces that span the length of the room, a first at a modern Strip hotel. Other in-room amenities include soaking tubs, kitchenettes and quirky accessories like artsy coffee table books.
The dining experience at The Cosmopolitan isn’t something you’ll find at other Strip resorts, either. All of The Cosmopolitan’s 13 restaurateurs are new to the Las Vegas market. You’ll find American steakhouse fare in a modern setting at STK, top-notch sushi at Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar & Grill and the freshest fish flown in from the Mediterranean daily at Estiatorio Milos.
Whether the sun is up or down, Marquee Nightclub & Dayclub is the place to find the party at The Cosmopolitan. The venue is a dayclub/nightclub, complete with a pool and cabanas outside and three different rooms with three different vibes inside.
If nightclubs aren’t your thing, you can grab a drink at one of The Cosmopolitan’s five other bars, like The Chandelier, which is encased in 2 million dripping crystals.
How about you workers trade places with an un-employed person if you are that unhappy?
Can't wait for the unions to go away, there killing america. If you are that unhappy with your job go work someplace else!
"if smaller places like the Riviera and Tropicana can pay"
How many business reports have we seen telling us that both of those properties are losing many and have for years?
Bad examples they are using when you are talking about properties that lose millions each year.
Hostess was loosing money as well but the executives boosted their salaries up 80% with $1.75 million dollars bonuses to the top. During bankruptcy hearings, the court gave Hostess the OK to award the $1.75 million.
When the executives know the organization is headed down, they cash in with awards and bonuses while expecting the employees to take further salary cuts. Eliminating useless overpaid management is the key to further economic success.
If Boyd properties can pay decent wage and benefit packages, there is no reason why Stations can't as well. Stations tells employees they pay equal or above their competitors. The flaw in that argument is Stations suggests their competition is the likes of The El Cortez, The Plaza, Golden Gate and any other small venue. When it comes to marketing strategy, Stations pits themselves against the best, when it comes to paying wages and benefits, Stations compare their packages with the lowest. The can't have it both ways. Stations needs to be unionized and pay industry standard wages. If they can afford to expand their gaming empire in California at racehorse speed, they can afford better wages and benefits.
Comment removed by moderator. Inappropriate
Not sure why I didn't realize it until now...jaquekeno is a Culinary union rep! That's why he/she ALWAYS jumps on Station, even if they aren't featured in the article.
The people as a whole; all of us, you me and our neighbors; we need to put a stop to these abusive unions.
Unions stifle economic growth and hold companies hostage. The contracts they force on the companies are almost always ridiculous. I have bar tender friends on the strip that make $18 an hour, plus benefits and walk with over $500 a night in tips, ridiculous. We have all read about the cushy lifestyle and benefits packages with our police and fire unions; you should see the lavish houses and cars these "public sector service" people have, it just makes you sick. Union officials and die hard union members act unreasonable and entitled when it comes to what they think they deserve. Unions steal from companies in the private sector and they steal from all of us in the public sector. For too long, getting a public sector job or landing a union job in general has been like hitting the jackpot. Being a firefighter, police officer or union bartender should not be paramount to winning the lottery. Things have gotten out of hand.
There is nothing wrong with working for a living. There are enough federal laws to protect workers; it is time we rein these thugs in.
Technically we are a right to work state and do not have to join any union.
You can go to any hotel and casino and apply for a culinary position and if you get hired they will send you to the Culinary Union to get a referral, but you can decline to sign up with them.
Last time I checked I was still living in the USA and if the Cosmopolitan Hotel don't want be a union house then they shouldn't forced to be, as well as the station casinos or any other casinos.
If you don't like your job then quit and go and find another job, there's someone else who's willing to work that job.
Apparently, if you are anti-union, the Sun will remove your comments. I didn't call anybody names, I simply stated it is time for us nonunion workers to take a stand against the unions who are trying to run this city. I apologize if the Sun is a union owned company, but that's how I feel. The mob was driven out of Las Vegas, and now it time for the unions to be driven out!
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With nearly a 20% real rate of unemployment, it doesn't seem like it would be in the best interest of the membership to go out on strike..
Amazing how some people on here always want the tail to wag the dog.
Hire non union workers. Let 'em walk out forever.
Culinary would do a service to focus on employable / trainable VETERANS instead of illegals.
More than 12% of employees in Nevada are Illegal invaders while our Veterans are homeless (unemployed) and on the streets. And you wonder why our economy doesn't come out of this stagnation?
it is a bank owned property they are watching every nickel and dime they spend
yes lets strike and be like Hostess all out of jobs. Union needs to be smart. There really not much use anymore.
I wonder if the recent court ruling on the NLRB appointments will affect the validity of these card check elections?
Roslenda - Thank you for your concern for our Vets. The VA has programs to help the homeless vet, but sometimes they just don't want the help. Since you can't force them to take the assistance, you are going to see vets on the street.
QUOTE FROM ABOVE: "...We just want to have conditions that are equal to everywhere else on the Strip."
I guess it is no longer desirable to just have a job. It seems the union workers want to set the wages too - as they see necessary.
So, Socialism has hit the Strip, too; not just in Washington, DC. Now, all workers are supposed to make the same money no matter WHERE they work, and no matter what the DIFFERENCES ARE are between Strip hotel/casinos (i.e., employers).
Why do Union employees always seem to be the "takers" in businesses. Why do these employees (note: Union employees are NOT the owners; they put no money into the business, and they take no financial risks to make the business flourish - SO THEY CAN PAY EMOPLOYEES).
It seems that Cosmopolitian Union workers just feel they can DICTATE what the WAGE LEVELS should be. I guess just having a job - especially in this economy - is NOT "FAIR."
And it used to be that Union emplyees foughtfor NEGOTIATED increased benefits and wages. NOW, it seems that they are DICTATING Egalitarian benefits and wages as they see fit.
The former Union mantra has risen again: "Look for the UNION label." A slogan that Unions used to put on clothing and signs to promote the idea that people should ONLY BUY FROM UNION brands or shops. This mantra sought to exclude competition, and fostered discrimination, against other businesses. So much for "FAIR."
Well, it has been obvious that the Karl Marx philosophy is still alive and well - in Unions, and in Washington, DC politics. I guess Union people really believe that EDICT by Karl Mrx (in cloaked references by Obama during his campaign) which stated: "WORKERS OF THE WORLD, UNITE."
Now you see can a little bit of the end-game.
Obviously, none of you that posted are union employees or have
held a job at a Las Vegas Casino . You guys would rather
the owner of the company which is probably billionaire, to
make even more money than they already do. Why would
anyone not root for everyone in this city to make more
money and get benefits and a pension, instead you people
are rooting for a billionaire to make more money.... So according
To the people that post you would like everyone to make minimum wage
And get no health benefits even though the casinos are make hundreds
Of millions of dollars ...please tell me why anyone would not want
Everyone to make more money ? And if you know what your talking
About the union is not striking , it's just picketing to send a message
That they are serious , Cosmo has had 18 months since their employees
Decided they wanted to go union. I think that is more than
Long enough to get a contract done. And also the union is asking for
Any raises so people that say we are asking for raises do not
Have a clue , we are just asking for our health benefits
Be covered and keep the pay the same . And if you feel sorry
For these owners and think their not making any money than
Obviously you aren't working in the casino industry, because
If the owner is make hundreds of millions of dollars, it is only
Fair to pay your employees an acceptable wage. This is not
A mom and pop companies , these are 500 million to 5 billion
Dollar properties , so if you think the owners are gonna use
That money they would save by being non- union on more jobs
You guys are crazy - that's just more money for the billionaires ...
SO UNLESS YOUR A CASINO OWNER IT MAKES ABSOLUTELY
NO SENSE WHY YOU WOULDN'T WANT EMPLOYEES TO
MAKE AS MUCH MONEY AS POSSIBLE AND GET BENEFITS
BECAUSE THAT WILL ONLY BENEFIT NON-UNION PLACES
TO OFFER BETTER WAGES AND POSSIBLY HEALTHCARE IF
THEY WANT TO GET THE BETTER EMPLOYEE (I.e Veneitian)
So that's all - tired of bitter people that are mad because someone
Makes more money than them or has a great job -you would love to
Have a job like this so quit your crying and promote better work
Environment and better pay !
Union_Bartender, isn't the Cosmo operating at a net loss? http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1....
Union Bartender says:" we are just asking for our health benefits
Be covered and keep the pay the same"
Gee I wish my employer paid for my health benefits.
chuck, I think his/her point is that by the union pushing for these better compensation/benefit packages, you're more likely to get improved packages at your job, regardless of whether or not you're a union member. They force the "free market" to adjust.
It's a legitimate point, but that certainly doesn't mean that I agree with all of the tactics used and positions taken.
improveLV I know what he was saying, just tired of the complaining when I see my pay go down a couple grand a year. And really $18 an hour plus tips! Cosmo is losing money, has been for some time. Can't get blood out of a turnip. Corporations are in it to make money and alot of it.
So you don't take into the account that we make $18 an hour but pay taxes like we make $30 so our paychecks are $600 every two weeks . So you want me to make less money because your pay got cut ? Really ? That's pretty stupid way to look at things ..... And what we make in tips has nothing to do with the employer ...and you choose to apply for the job that you work at correct? So you would rather billionaires keep the money than everyday normal people , that will spend it in the Las Vegas community , I dunno how some of you think but it's not very smart - you want the rich to get richer -
You're taking the wrong approach/tone, in my opinion, Union_Bartender. You're creating tension between yourself and others in the community, and it's bad PR for the union. We all pay taxes (or most of us do). You get tips, and that has A LOT to do with your employer. You wouldn't get those tips if you weren't given an opportunity and an arena in which to do your job. You talk about how much money these places are making/worth, but you were shown how the Cosmo is losing money, as has been for some time.
You say that chuck chose to apply for the job, basically suggesting that he shouldn't complain. Many people could say the same to you, but that isn't really productive.
I'm not complaining , I'm happy as can be - you guys are complaining that union employees get paid to much money and benefits ...which to me makes no sense , why anyone would want other people to make less money and have no benefits unless they are the employer . I hope everyone makes as much money as possible - and when I said the employer has nothing to do with the tips is that they are not paying the tips so its not costing the company anything - and as I do agree that some things could be handled a different way - I just as an employee people would be happy that we are able to make a good living , because that's good for everyone in the community .
OMG...
You anti-unionista's are wack!
The ignorance...
'how DARE they!'
Well, kids, if hard-working Americans HADN'T fought for worker's rights over time, you would be too broke, tired & afraid to open your big, gaping yap today.
Corporate apologists here @ the Sun have waaaay to much 'free time'...
My husband has worked for the Cosmopolitan since the day it opened here in Las Vegas two years ago. For two years, he has gone without a raise. Not one single penny as a reward for all his hard work for them in two years. And just yesterday he had to work a full eight hour shift with no break because they schedule like idiots. This isn't about higher pay. This is about a fair wage for the job that you do for them. Before you slam the Unions, ask yourself how happy you would be working two years without a raise or having to work many eight hour shifts without a break. The Unions protect people like my husband and I support their efforts 100%