A potential strike is looming at Harry Reid International Airport as nearly 400 members of Culinary Workers Union Local 226 across 20 retail outlets push for a new contract by the end of next week.
Workers say raises have been stagnant or minimal for years, despite rising living costs, driving demands for cost-of-living adjustments and pay parity with other airport employees. While most airport workers under major employer HMSHost have contracts with better wages and benefits, the union says employers operating under the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program lag behind in pay, health care, and pension contributions.
“The cooks and servers there are $3 or $4 an hour behind the rest of the workers at the airport. And the latest proposal is to have no wage increases till next year. And it's, I think, 25 cents is where we're at as a wage increase. Not paying the proper amount for a health plan or pension plans. So those are in danger, too,” said Ted Pappageorge, secretary-treasurer of Culinary Workers Union Local 226.