Unions Reach Tentative Agreements

LAS VEGAS, NV-Casino owners Park Place Entertainment and Harrah’s Entertainment may avoid a proposed June 1 strike at their Las Vegas properties, as they have reached tentative agreements with two major unions here.

The Culinary Workers Union Local 226 and Bartenders’ and Beverage Dispensers’ Union Local 165 have been in contract negotiations since April 10 with Park Place and Harrah’s, as well as two other principal casino owners here, MGM Mirage and Mandalay Resort Group. If the tentative agreements with Park Place and Harrah’s are ratified, the unions say there will be “peaceful labor relations” at all properties owned by the two companies.

The unions are still working to reach agreements with MGM Mirage and Mandalay Resort Group, but members are prepared to strike if negotiations are not ironed out by the time the collective bargaining agreements expire on May 31. If the strike does occur, more than 40,000 Las Vegas hotel and casino workers may walk out.