Chartered June 15, 1934 and over 3,500 members strong, we are the Union for Bartenders and Apprentice Bartenders in the Las Vegas Metro area. For decades we have led the fight to win fair wages, solid benefits, and safe, dignified working conditions for Las Vegas’s hospitality workers. Our Union has a proud tradition of being on the front lines fighting for social change and economic justice.
Who We Are
UNITE HERE Local 165 members work in all of Las Vegas Metro hospitality industry. No matter where they work, our members take great pride in delivering quality and professional service.
Our union is diverse and democratic, and since its founding in 1934, our union has won respect for Bartenders and has given us a voice in the Greater Las Vegas area.
Our priorities are to negotiate great contracts for our members, empower workers to have a voice on the job and organize non-union workers.
Over the years, UNITE HERE Local 165 has fought hard for and won:
Living Wages
Job Security
A Voice on the Job
Respect in the Workplace
Family Health Insurance Fully Paid by the Employer
A Pension to Retire with Dignity
ABOUT UNITE HERE
Local 165 is affiliated with UNITE HERE International Union.
The Culinary Union has put together a resource guide that may be helpful to you and your family: https://www.culinaryunion226.org/COVID19.pdf
Coronavirus (COVID-19) is having an unprecedented impact on the world, this country, Nevada, the hospitality industry, and working families. Casinos are closed and nearly 60,000 Culinary & Bartenders Union members are laid off. We know it is a scary time but the Culinary & Bartenders Unions have your back.
We want you to know that your job and healthcare benefits for you and your family are protected.
When casinos reopen, by contract, the companies must schedule available work by seniority. The Unions are negotiating for full-time, part-time, and on-call workers to get paid throughout the closure period.
Your health, safety, and security of you and your family is the number one priority. Together, we will get through this.
To receive text message updates from the Culinary & Bartenders Unions text “member” to 877-877.
In Solidarity,
Geoconda Argüello-Kline, Secretary-Treasurer of Culinary Union
Ted Pappageorge, President of Culinary Union
Terry Greenwald, Secretary-Treasurer of Bartenders Union Local 165
Lana Loebig, President of Bartenders Union Local 165
UFCW Jobs!
UFCW Jobs!
Our friends at UFCW have updated their jobs page to make it easier for our members to find work in healthcare, grocery and retail, on the frontlines of the Coronavirus crisis. Employers are looking to fill positions immediately. Members can apply today and help keep our communities safe. Visit www.ufcwjobs.com and click on the “Are you a former UNITE HERE member?” banner at the top of the website to be directed to the dedicated UNITE HERE portal.
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
We have made the decision to temporarily close our office to the public, as we have several at risk employees. We apologize for the inconvenience, rest assured that we remain working some from the office and some from home. If you have questions or concerns, please reach out to your organizer directly by phone or by e-mail. Below is a list for your convenience.
Main Office 702-384-7774 ext 22
Terry Greenwald tgreenwald@herelocal165.org 702-384-7774 ext 26
Lana Loebig lloebig@herelocal165.org 702-384-7774 ext 24
Geoff Thomas gthomas@herelocal165.org 702-384-7774 ext 29
Virginia Velasquez vvelasquez@herelocal165.org 702-384-7774 ext 30
Mike Cianci mcianci@herelocal165.org 702-384-7774 ext 23
Joe Cano jcano@herelocal165.org 702-384-7774 ext 28
Mike Contorelli mcontorelli@herelocal165.org 702-384-7774 ext 27
Rory Martinez rmartinez@herelocal165.org 702-384-7774 ext 31
Marge McBride mmcbride@herelocal165.org 702-384-7774 ext 25
In solidarity,
Terry Greenwald, Secretary Treasurer
Lana Loebig, President
Coronavirus update: Casinos are closed. Your job & health benefits are protected.
Governor Sisolak has ordered that Nevada casinos are closed effective midnight on Wednesday, March 18th, 2020.
We appreciate what has been implemented so far by MGM Resorts International, Caesars Entertainment, Wynn/Encore, Cosmopolitan, Tropicana, and others. The Culinary & Bartenders Unions demand every Nevada employer pay all of their employees (including part-time workers) and extend healthcare benefits during the ordered 30-day closure.
Nearly 65,000 Culinary Union and Bartenders Unions members are currently laid off.
What does this mean for you?
*Your healthcare benefits for you and your family are protected. The Culinary Health Fund Board of Union and Management Trustees has agreed to extend health care coverage even if you are laid off or have reduced hours. This information is here: https://www.culinaryunion226.org/blog/the-culinary-health-fund-is-taking-care-of-you-during-these-tough-times-2020-03-14
*Your job is protected: Your contract has language which includes recall by seniority. You will be able to go back to work when casinos reopen and business improves.
*You can file for unemployment: bit.ly/nevadaui
We are creating a plan that we will share with you soon about:
*Assistance with signing up for unemployment
*Utility protection such as water, lights, gas, sewage/trash, internet, and more
*How to talk to your landlord about rent
*Managing credit cards and mortgage payments
Our national union, UNITE HERE, is in Washington, DC right now demanding that Congress finalize a comprehensive relief package for working families.
The Culinary & Bartenders Unions will continue to negotiate with casino & hotel employers on a package of critical items we have proposed to protect workers when casinos reopen. Here is a list of the proposals: https://www.culinaryunion226.org/blog/coronavirus-negotiations-update-your-union-is-fighting-to-protect-you-your-job-2020-03-12
The Culinary Union and Bartenders Unions supports the decision made by Governor Sisolak to protect working families in Nevada. Health and safety are priorities as we face this global crisis. Governor Sisolak’s order is necessary in protecting Nevadans, workers, and customers in the fight to contain the spread of Covid-19.
We recommend that workers do not physically come to the Bartenders Union Office at this time, unless you have an appointment. Call the Bartenders Unions (702) 384-7774 for an appointment.
If your coworker did not get this update, they can text the word “member” to 877-877.
In Solidarity,
Geoconda Argüello-Kline, Secretary-Treasurer of Culinary Union
Ted Pappageorge, President of Culinary Union
Terry Greenwald, Secretary-Treasurer of Bartenders Union Local 165
Lana Loebig, President of Bartenders Union Local 165
Bartenders Union Apprenticeship Program:Important Update
We have temporarily moved to online classroom instruction beginning Tuesday March 17th, for those who are currently enrolled in the Bartenders Union Apprenticeship Program. Those who are currently enrolled should check their e-mails for instructions from our Director as to the log in information. You can access the online classes from your cell phone, tablet, computer or via phone by calling in and listening.
Coronavirus negotiations update: Fighting to protect you!
As this country is facing a global crisis with COVID-19, the Culinary & Bartenders Unions are working on a plan to protect members and their families.
We are creating a plan that we will share with you soon about:
*Unemployment assistance
*Utility protection such as water, lights, gas, sewage/trash, internet, and more
*Landlord communication about rent
*Managing credit cards and mortgage payments
Based on White House coronavirus task force’s guidance of not having gatherings larger than 10 people, we recommend that workers do not physically come to the Culinary Union at this time.
*For questions about your grievance, a remote process will be in place shortly and we will let you know when it’s up and running.
*In the event the Culinary Union HQ is required to close, we will also have a system in place and we will keep you updated as soon as it’s ready.
We appreciate what has been implemented by MGM Resorts International and Wynn/Encore properties. In order to get through this global crisis that is impacting working families in Nevada, the Culinary & Bartenders Unions believe that all workers, regardless if they are under a union contract or not (including part timers), should be paid during the time when business is closed.
If your coworker did not get this update, they can text the word “member” to 877-877.
In Solidarity,
Geoconda Argüello-Kline, Secretary-Treasurer of Culinary Union
Ted Pappageorge, President of Culinary Union
Terry Greenwald, Secretary-Treasurer of Bartenders Union Local 165
Lana Loebig, President of Bartenders Union Local 165
Coronavirus negotiations update: Layoff Protections
Governor Sisolak has declared a state of emergency for Nevada and we should follow all recommendations by local health agencies and authorities.
Here are the latest safety recommendations from the Culinary Health Fund: https://www.culinaryunion226.org/blog/we-are-implementing-temporary-measures-at-the-culinary-health-center-chc
NEGOTIATIONS
The Culinary Health Fund Board of Union and Management Trustees has agreed to extend health care coverage during this crisis even if you are laid off or have reduced hours. This information is here: https://www.culinaryunion226.org/blog/the-culinary-health-fund-is-taking-care-of-you-during-these-tough-times-2020-03-14
The Culinary & Bartenders Unions will continue to negotiate with casino & hotel employers on a package of critical items we have proposed to protect workers during these difficult times.
Here is a list of the proposals: https://www.culinaryunion226.org/blog/coronavirus-negotiations-update-your-union-is-fighting-to-protect-you-your-job-2020-03-12
LAYOFFS AND REDUCTIONS OF HOURS
In this global crisis Las Vegas is being impacted and due to significant cancellations throughout the travel and tourism industry, your employers have instituted immediate layoffs.
What does this mean for you?
* For workers NOT in layoff status: All current conditions of the union contract apply subject to any modifications due to negotiations in process right now.
* Workers IN layoff status: Workers must be offered all available work by house seniority according to current practices mandated by your union contract.
We are working with the employers to identify any job opportunities and make sure they are made available to laid-off workers, including available work in other classifications if needed and if worker is qualified.
Culinary & Bartenders Union organizers will be in the hotels and available throughout this weekend and we will continue to provide updates to you.
If your coworker did not get this update, they can text the word “member” to 877-877.
We are implementing temporary measures at the Culinary Health Center
Palms Casino and Green Valley Ranch Resort charged with violating federal law as Station Casinos continues to flout government’s certification of union election results
The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) in Washington, DC has denied Station Casinos’ legal challenges to recent union election victories at both Palms Casino and Green Valley Ranch Resort. The Regional Director for the NLRB office covering Las Vegas has now issued legal complaints against both properties alleging that their refusal to bargain is illegal.
The NLRB complaint against the Palms dated August 15, 2018 alleges: “Respondent has been failing and refusing to bargain collectively and in good faith with the exclusive collective-bargaining representative of its employees…”
Workers at both the Palms and Green Valley Ranch voted by overwhelming margins in favor of unionizing in April 2018 and November 2017 respectively. But instead of recognizing these results, Station Casinos has tried to overturn the elections through a series of unsuccessful legal challenges.
Station Casinos’ challenges have been rejected twice now by unanimous three-member panels of the NLRB, and in each case, a majority of the panel were made up of appointees of the Trump Administration. Station Casinos’ legal challenge at the Palms was rebuffed by a one-line dismissal by the NLRB stating that it “raises no substantial issues warranting review.”
“The company lied to us,” said Eduardo Truebas Martinez, a cook at the Palms A.Y.C.E. Buffet. “Station Casinos always said that if we held a union election that they would respect our votes. We voted to unionize because we want the same standard as Strip workers – fair wages, job security, good health benefits. It’s time for the company to do the right thing and negotiate.”
The Culinary and Bartenders Unions calls on Station Casinos, Nevada’s third largest private employer, to begin contract negotiations immediately.
“Station Casinos is defying federal law as it continues to refuse to negotiate in good faith,” said Geoconda Argüello-Kline, Secretary-Treasurer for the Culinary Union. “Any unilateral changes pertaining to workers and their workplace conditions are illegal at the Palms and Green Valley Ranch unless explicitly bargained with the Culinary and Bartenders Unions.”
GEOFFREY THOMAS PRESENTING $111,633.16 CHECK TO DAVE RONEK FROM A RECENT ARBITRATION DECISION
RETURN TO WORK WITH BACK-PAY AND BENEFITS.
PERRY NICHOLAS RECEIVED A $25,000.00 GRIEVANCE SETTLEMENT AWARD FROM A LAS VEGAS STRIP HOTEL & CASINO.
GEOFFREY THOMAS GIVING BRANDON TOBLER $40,000.00 SETTLEMENT FROM WYNN LAS VEGAS.
TRUMP’S LACK OF COURAGE SHOWS NO LEADERSHIP LEAVING THE FATE OF DACA IN THE HANDS OF A DYSFUNCTIONAL CONGRESS
DACA is a Program that allows young immigrants who came to the United States with their parents illegally to stay in the Country under the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act without fear of deportation. Now DACA stands a chance of being discontinued by Trump wanting to end by phasing out this program over the next six (6) months.
Under DACA, there are approximately 800,000 immigrants who have received work authorizations, including many hospitality workers and their families. This could result in hospitality industry workers from working lawfully thus forcing them to work illegally.
Congress is now forced to make a decision of the livelihoods of these immigrants, who contribute to the American economy, live productive and meaningful lives, and attain education and employment, lose their most basic rights to live in a country they were brought to as children. The Bartenders Union as well as UNITE HERE and its Affiliates condemn terminating DACA. We will lobby our congressional members as well as actively take to the streets across the country with our workers in every state in the nation to advocate to Congress to save DACA.
