Workers at Citizens Kitchen & Bar in MGM Resorts' Mandalay Bay casino have voted to unionize with the Culinary Union, with 82% of approximately 130 employees supporting the move. The December 5 vote was supervised by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).

The unionized workforce includes cooks, servers, bartenders, dishwashers, and hosts at the SBE Entertainment Group-owned establishment.

Raymundo Lopez, a cook at Citizens, supported the union vote to secure health insurance for his family, including his pregnant wife.

This unionization follows similar movements at other Las Vegas Strip venues in 2024, including:

• Eataly at Park MGM
• Brooklyn Bowl
• Gordon Ramsey Fish & Chips at the Linq Promenade
• Café Belle at Paris Casino
• Starbucks at the Flamingo Casino

Ted Pappageorge, secretary-treasurer of the Culinary Union, emphasized their commitment to organizing hospitality workers, focusing on fair wages, job security, and union benefits.

In related news, the Culinary Union has reached a tentative agreement with Fontainebleau Las Vegas after 18 hours of negotiation. This agreement would cover approximately 3,300 workers and awaits rank-and-file approval.

Meanwhile, a strike continues at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas since November 15, with workers seeking salary increases and improved working conditions. Virgin Hotels claims the Culinary Union is not seriously considering their economic proposals or bringing their latest offer to members for a formal vote.

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