Police in Las Vegas arrested 57 striking casino workers who were protesting outside Virgin Hotels Las Vegas. The workers, represented by the Culinary Union, had walked off their jobs last week due to stalled contract negotiations. Images and videos posted by the union showed members blocking a road in front of the hotel, with some members being handcuffed by police.
The union’s leadership, including President Diana Valles, were among those arrested. Las Vegas police reopened the road next to the casino after the arrests. The city is currently hosting the Formula One Grand Prix this weekend.
Virgin Hotels Las Vegas is owned by JC Hospitality, Juniper Capital Partners, Virgin Group, and others. The hotel did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Reuters regarding the situation.
The casino workers’ strike highlights the ongoing labor disputes in the hospitality industry, as workers continue to push for fair wages and benefits. The incident also underscores the tensions between workers and management in the face of economic challenges and uncertainty in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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