ONLINE / SOCIAL
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Monday, March 9, 2026
MEDIA CONTACT:
Bethany Khan: bkhan@culinaryunion226.org ▪ (702) 387-7088
Senator Jacky Rosen joins Culinary Union to discuss impact of Trump Slump on Las Vegas’ workers
LAS VEGAS, NV - On Friday, U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) joined the Culinary Union in a roundtable discussion on the state of tourism and hospitality in Nevada and how Donald Trump’s policies have impacted Las Vegas’ local economy and workers. As a result of Trump’s tariffs, immigration policies, and attacks on Canada, Las Vegas suffered a decline in total visitors of 7.5 percent in 2025, the worst in a non-pandemic year since 1970. Lower visitation rates to Las Vegas means fewer visitors spending money in hotels, restaurants, and small businesses – and that leads to fewer shifts and tips for hospitality workers. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there was a decline of 27,000 hospitality jobs last month.
“Donald Trump has been the single most damaging factor for the Las Vegas economy since the pandemic. His illegal tariffs, harmful immigration policies, and fights with Canada have wreaked havoc on our tourism industry and its workers, ” said Senator Rosen. “From lower visitation rates and fewer shifts, we’re already seeing direct impacts on Nevada and the hospitality workers who run our economy. I’m so grateful to join the Culinary Union today to hear directly from its members about how they’re being impacted. I’ll keep fighting in the Senate against the terrible ‘Trump slump’ and the policies that are hurting our workers.”
“Workers are living through what we call the ‘Trump Slump’ and it’s showing up in their hours and their paychecks. This administration’s chaotic trade and immigration policies have put a serious chill on travel and tourism. That means fewer hours, less tips, and hard conversations at kitchen tables,” said Ted Pappageorge, Secretary-Treasurer for the Culinary Union. “At the same time, we’re seeing a deportation system that targets long‑time, otherwise law‑abiding workers and tears families apart. If the ICE crackdown that happened in Minneapolis hit the Las Vegas Strip - visitors simply wouldn’t come here. Culinary Union members fought hard and won strong contracts, but those gains are being undermined by an economy tilted toward billionaires while working families fall further behind. Instead of addressing the real cost‑of‑living crisis: Housing, utility bills, groceries, and health care - this administration is waging a war on working families and our economy. Las Vegas is a hospitality‑dependent economy and we need policies that welcomes visitors, respects workers, and strengthens our communities, and we’re going to keep organizing and supporting leaders like Senator Rosen who are fighting for a real course correction.”
Senator Rosen has been a champion for Nevada’s travel and tourism industry. Last month, she sent a letter to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem urging her to immediately reopen all trusted traveler programs. In January, Senator Rosen sent a letter to the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce calling for a hearing on the state of the U.S. travel and tourism industry. She has also helped introduce bipartisan legislation that would restore funding for important tourism programs.
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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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