by Donald Wood
Last updated: 12:34 PM ET, Mon June 4, 2018
Tourists fearing strikes in Las Vegas by union workers were relieved to hear of two deals struck this weekend between employees and two of the largest companies on the strip, MGM Resorts International, and Caesars Entertainment.
According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Culinary Workers Union Local 226 and Bartenders Local 165 announced Saturday night they had reached a tentative agreement with MGM Resorts on a new five-year agreement. The deal covers an estimated 24,000 workers at 10 casino resorts.
The unions also reached an agreement with Caesars Entertainment Friday, averting a massive strike that had been in the works for weeks. The original contract expired on June 1, and the unions are working with other major companies in Las Vegas to ratify additional contracts.
The new contracts for union employees include increased security against sexual harassment, workload, technology, and immigration. Union spokesperson Bethany Khan told local media the deal "has the strongest economic package ever negotiated with the highest wage increases and healthcare and pension benefits for workers."
The Culinary Union is still working with around 15 Las Vegas casinos and resorts on new deals, but the agreements with MGM Resorts and Caesars helps give the union leverage in all further negotiations.
The other casinos and resorts still negotiating include the Tropicana, the Stratosphere, Treasure Island, Westgate and the Four Seasons on the Strip, and Binions, Fremont, El Cortez, Downtown Grand, the Plaza and the Golden Nugget, according to Las Vegas Now.
All remaining negotiations will continue this week behind closed doors, but if no deal is struck in the coming days, the union is still prepared to call on employees at the impacted Las Vegas casinos and resorts to go on strike.
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