Statement by Geoconda Argüello-Kline, Secretary-Treasurer for the Culinary Union regarding Janus vs. AFSCME

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, February 26, 2018

Media Contact: 
Bethany Khan ▪ BKhan@culinaryunion226.org ▪ (702) 387-7088

Statement by Geoconda Argüello-Kline, Secretary-Treasurer for the Culinary Union regarding Janus vs. AFSCME:

Attacks on unions are attacks on working people. The targeted attacks on workers by right-wing billionaires who are bankrolling #JanusvAFSCME and rigging the system is shameful. If the rich 1% get their way, 17 million public-sector workers will have their power to advocate in the workplace unfairly stripped away. Workers will not be quiet and we will continue fighting for working people and an economy that works for everyone!

The Culinary Union was founded in 1935 and the so-called “Right-to-work [for less]” policy was instituted in Nevada in 1952 (66 years ago) mostly in response to the Culinary Union’s record of strong organizing and successful wins for working people in the state. The Culinary Union maintains a 90% dues density because working people believe in the power of their union and that with a strong union contract, workers can have fair wages, job security, and the best health benefits in Nevada.

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ABOUT THE CULINARY UNION:

Culinary Workers Union Local 226 and Bartenders Union Local 165, Nevada affiliates of UNITE HERE, represent over 57,000 workers in Las Vegas and Reno, including at most of the casino resorts on the Las Vegas Strip and in Downtown Las Vegas. UNITE HERE represents 270,000 workers in gaming, hotel, and food service industries in North America.

The Culinary Union, through the Culinary Health Fund, is one of the largest healthcare consumers in the state.  The Culinary Health Fund is sponsored by the Union and Las Vegas-area employers.  It provides health insurance coverage for over 143,000 Nevadans, the Culinary Union’s members and their dependents.   

The Culinary Union is Nevada’s largest immigrant organization with over 57,000 members - a diverse membership that is approximately 55% women and 54% Latino. Members - who work as guest room attendants, bartenders, cocktail and food servers, porters, bellmen, cooks, and kitchen workers - come from 173 countries and speak over 40 different languages. The Culinary Union has been fighting for fair wages, job security, and good health benefits for working men and women in Nevada for over 82 years. 

CulinaryUnion226.org / @Culinary226 

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