The Culinary Workers Union Local 226 is the dominant labor force in Las Vegas, representing over 60,000 guest room attendants, cocktail servers, food servers, and kitchen workers. Established in 1935, the union's history tracks the evolution of Las Vegas from a mob-run enclave to a corporate mega-resort destination.

The Mob Era

Organized crime owners generally conceded to union demands to maintain operational stability, establishing a high wage floor. Strikes disrupted the skim, so mob owners preferred labor peace. This ironic arrangement gave workers unprecedented power.

The 1984 Strike

A massive walkout that marked the transition to adversarial corporate labor relations, as workers stood united, demanding fair treatment and better working conditions. The era of easy accommodation was over.

The Frontier Strike (1991–1998)

One of the longest successful strikes in US history, lasting over six years with zero line-crossers, resulting in a total union victory that would go down in the annals of labor history, a shining beacon of hope for workers everywhere.

Modern Power

The union's modern success relies on Card Check Neutrality agreements, which bypass traditional NLRB elections, and the Culinary Health Fund, which provides premium-free healthcare. Politically, the union is a powerhouse in Nevada, capable of swinging state and national elections through massive ground-game mobilization.