MEDIA ADVISORY FOR:
Tuesday, November 4, 2025
Wednesday, November 5, 2025
MEDIA CONTACT:
Bethany Khan: bkhan@culinaryunion226.org ▪ (702) 387-7088
Culinary Union to give public comment at the Clark County Commission ahead of picketing at the LAS Harry Reid International Airport as nearly 400 workers continue push for a new contract
Las Vegas, NV - On Tuesday, November 4th, Culinary Union will be giving public comment at the Clark County Commission ahead of picketing at the LAS Harry Reid International Airport on Wednesday, November 5th as nearly 400 workers push for a new contract.
“The Clark County Commission should be aware that the Department of Transportation has recently issued a rule barring race and sex-based contracting requirements from federal grants and is requiring recertification of all disadvantaged business enterprises (DBEs). Culinary Union is concerned that a number of the DBE operators at Harry Reid Airport will not qualify upon recertification and this could have a serious fiscal impact on the Department of Aviation as the federal government continues to scrutinize DEI programs. The Clark County Commission should protect itself by ensuring that the re-certification process is fast-tracked and that non-compliant operators are not allowed to operate at the Harry Reid International Airport,” said Ted Pappageorge, Secretary-Treasurer for the Culinary Union. “The re-certification process should be public and Clark County Commissioners should have the opportunity to question the Department of Aviation regarding the results. Culinary Union is currently in negotiations with the DBEs at Harry Reid International Airport. Nearly 400 fast-food workers employed at Wendy’s, Aunt Annie’s, Nathan’s Hot Dogs, Village Pub, Jimmy John’s, Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, and Jersey Mikes are some of the workers who are impacted, so Culinary Union has a direct interest in how the re-certification process proceeds, that Harry Reid Airport DBEs are in compliance with the law, and that the DBEs have accurately and completely represented their enterprises in obtaining small-business enterprise and DBE status.”
WHO:
*Ted Pappageorge, Secretary-Treasurer for the Culinary Union.
*Culinary Union members employed as cooks, fast food workers, bartenders, servers, and porters at Harry Reid International Airport DBE’s such as: American Bagel (T3), Bagelmania (T1), Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf (T1 & T3), Jamba Juice (T1 & T3), Jersey Mike’s (T1), Nathan’s (T1), Port O’Subs (T1 & T3), and Wendy’s (T1).
WHAT, WHEN, & WHERE:
*Public comment: Tuesday, November 4, 2025 at 9am at the Clark County Commission (500 S Grand Central Pkwy, Las Vegas, NV 89155).
*Picketing @ LAS Airport: Wednesday, November 5, 2025 from 11:00am-3:00pm at the Harry Reid International Airport - Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 (5757 Wayne Newton Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89119).
WHY: On November 14th 2025, the Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs) face a critical deadline as workers demand a new union contract, protection of health care benefits, and respect after four years without raises.
Harry Reid International Airport workers employed as cooks, fast food workers, bartenders, servers, and porters at DBE’s such as: American Bagel (T3), Bagelmania (T1), Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf (T1 & T3), Jamba Juice (T1 & T3), Jersey Mike’s (T1), Nathan’s (T1), Port O’Subs (T1 & T3), and Wendy’s (T1), have been subjected to disrespectful negotiation tactics by companies who have made proposals that threaten health care benefits, reduce recall rights (among other items), and many have not given workers raises in years.
Workers are prepared to take decisive action if an agreement on a new union contract is not reached by Friday, November 14th, 2024. Culinary Union members employed at the DBE’s are prepared to implement strategic strike actions - potentially including short-term, long-term, or rolling strikes - that could significantly impact operations at the Harry Reid International Airport ahead of the busy holiday season in Las Vegas.
These DBEs, many holding privileged leases based on diversity initiatives, now face intense scrutiny. With the Department of Transportation intensifying its oversight of licensees, these airport businesses risk losing their DBE status.
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ABOUT CULINARY UNION:
Culinary Workers Union Local 226 and Bartenders Union Local 165, Nevada affiliates of UNITE HERE, represent 60,000 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 300,000 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 Culinary Union and Las Vegas-area employers. It provides health insurance coverage for over 120,000 Nevadans, the Culinary Union’s members, and their dependents.
The Culinary Union is Nevada’s largest Latino/a, Black, AAPI, immigrant organization with members who come from 178 countries and speak over 40 different languages. We are proud to have helped over 18,000 immigrants become American citizens and new voters since 2001 through our affiliate, The Citizenship Project.
The Culinary Union has a diverse membership which is 55% women and 60% immigrants. The demographics of Culinary Union members are approximately: 54% Latino/a, 18% white, 15% Asian, 12% Black, and less than 1% Indigenous Peoples.
Culinary Union members work as: Guest room attendants, cocktail and food servers, porters, bellmen, cooks, bartenders, laundry, and kitchen workers. The Culinary Union has been fighting and winning for working families in Nevada for 90 years.
CulinaryUnion226.org / @Culinary226
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