Las Vegas: union ensures workers’ health benefits until 2021

The union hopes to negotiate similar deals for 24,000 more employees across other Las Vegas casinos and resorts.

US.- A union representing workers from two of Las Vegas’s biggest casino companies has ensured workers will keep their health benefits until 2021.

The Culinary Union has reached an agreement with MGM Resorts and Caesars Entertainment that will apply to around 36,000 workers across 22 Las Vegas Strip properties.

The pact applies to bar and culinary staff, and means they will be able to keep family health benefits until March 2021 even if they have been laid off or furloughed.

Caesars CEO Tom Reeg said in a statement that the agreement was “an important step in continuing to ensure our team members and their families are protected during these unpredictable times.”

The news comes after MGM resorts laid-off 18,000 workers earlier this week. MGM CEO Bill Hornbuckle previously said in a letter to those laid off that they would continue to receive health benefits until September 30.

The new deal between the union and casinos affects 24,000 MGM employees and 12,000 Caesars employees.