The Frontier Strike (1991-1998) was one of the longest successful strikes in American history. For six years and four months, workers walked the picket line outside the Frontier hotel, and not a single union member crossed it.

The Cause

When the Elardi family purchased the Frontier, they refused to honor the existing union contract. Workers demanded their rights; management refused to negotiate. The battle lines were drawn.

The Endurance

For over 2,000 days, workers maintained their picket line in the desert heat and occasional cold. The union sustained them through a strike fund, and the solidarity never wavered. Zero workers ever crossed to take their jobs back.

The Victory

The strike ended when Phil Ruffin purchased the property and signed a union contract. Workers returned victorious, having proven that the Culinary Union would not be broken by attrition.

The Precedent

The Frontier Strike established a precedent that labor peace is a prerequisite for profitability on the Strip. No casino wants to be the next Frontier—surrounded by picketers for years while competitors thrive.