Video / Culinary Union: We Fight. We Win!

Culinary Union: We Fight. We Win!

The Culinary Union was chartered on November 1, 1935 and 2018 marked the 83rd anniversary of the organization that has improved the lives of hundreds of thousands of Nevada hospitality workers and their families with middle-class union wages and good benefits. In eight decades, the Culinary Union has become an essential economic institution and a strong political force in the Battle Born State. The Culinary Union has won a middle-class standard of living for over 753,000 hospitality workers in the Union’s 83 years through rank-and-file organizing and mass actions. Its membership has risen from 18,000 in 1987 to approximately 57,000 members today. “We are incredibly proud of members, whose hard work and sacrifices over the years has made Las Vegas a strong union town,” said Geoconda Arguello-Kline, Secretary-Treasurer for the Culinary Union. “Nevada is a place where working men and women have a real opportunity to provide for their families and achieve the American Dream. When the workers who make Las Vegas run have good jobs with fair wages, job security, and good health benefits, the entire community benefits.” The Culinary Union is Nevada’s largest immigrant organization with members who come from 173 countries (out of a total 195!) and speak over 40 different languages. Its diverse membership -- approximately 55% women and 54% Latino / 18% White / 15% Asian & Pacific Islander / 11% Black — consists of guest room attendants, cocktail and food servers, porters, bellmen, cooks, and kitchen workers. More history: http://www.culinaryunion226.org/union/history