Ahead of the upcoming US presidential elections, Donald Trump is likely going to face strong opposition in Nevada, judging by the intentions of the Culinary Union. Currently, the Union represents approximately 60,000 workers across Las Vegas and Reno who are employed by leading gaming and hotel operators. The workers hold jobs such as dealers, bartenders, cooks, housekeepers and other vital roles that help hotel casinos cater to millions of visitors every month.
Now, according to a newly released report by Agence France-Presse, members of the Culinary Union will play a key role by encouraging residents across the state to vote. In light of the upcoming US presidential elections, the Union’s move doesn’t come as a surprise, considering their efforts from 2016 and 2020 when they helped Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden.
Ted Pappageorge, the Culinary Union’s secretary-treasurer, acknowledged the importance of the turnout in the state. “Turnout is everything in Nevada. That’s where the Culinary Union comes in,” said Pappageorge. He reaffirmed the Union’s support for Biden, calling him the “best president for working class people and families and unions in my lifetime.”
Some 500 Union Members to Mobilize
According to Pappageorge, some 500 union members will be mobilized, going from door to door, urging residents to vote. This will be the third time the Union mobilizes against Trump. Pappageorge added that union members participate in such campaigns between three and six months during election years. “They walk the neighborhoods every day, 10 hours a day, in 110 degrees, getting chased by dogs and all sorts of other things,” he added.
“By election day, we’ll have 500 union members – men and women that are normally cleaning rooms in hotels, or cooking food, or serving drinks – out full-time, knocking on doors, registering folks to vote, taking folks to the polls.“
Ted Pappageorge, secretary-treasurer of the Culinary Union
The efforts described by the secretary-treasurer are important and may have a significant impact on the turnout. Pappageorge said that the efforts would help the working class become more active in Nevada, adding that it would be “workers talking to workers.”
In March, the Culinary Union called for a boycott of the Rampart Casino in Summerlin, Nevada, amid an ongoing strike at the Lalji family-owned Sheraton Vancouver Airport Hotel.
Back in November, union members secured a major win after deals were struck with MGM Resorts, Wynn Resorts and Ceasars Entertainment, three of the major Las Vegas hotel casino operators. Besides the Big Three, deals were reached with other operators downtown and Strip operators, ensuring better working conditions and pay for hospitality workers.