The contract for hospitality workers at Virgin Las Vegas expired last summer. Despite the attempts of the Culinary Union to negotiate with the operator, a new contract with better working conditions is yet to be signed. In light of this, hundreds of workers went on strike on Friday just ahead of the upcoming F1 Grand Prix.

Workers Seek Temporary Employment at Virgin Las Vegas

With the strike looming, the off-Strip hotel casino resorted to filling temporary positions of workers who are currently on strike. Virgin Las Vegas released a statement thanking “hundreds of individuals,” who sought temporary employment to address the shortages that come as a result of the strike.

The operator explained that it has been “diligently vetting and processing applications for temporary employment and contract work from hundreds of skilled individuals.” Additionally, Virgin Hotels Las Vegas confirmed that many of the temporary workers were previously Culinary Members when working at other hotel and casino venues in Sin City.

While it is not unexpected for the gaming and hospitality operator to fill in temporarily vacant positions, especially ahead of the Grand Prix, the Culinary Union disagreed with the resort’s intentions. In a publication on X, formerly Twitter, the Union claimed that Virgin Las Vegas is “hiring random scabs – temp workers off the street.” Moreover, the Culinary Union claimed that the operator’s actions seek to “replace highly trained and trusted union hospitality workers who are on strike.”

The workers union added: “Temp workers to.. work in your room, be in the hotel, and cook your food.” Not unexpectedly, the Culinary Union asked the public and guests not to cross the picket line. They encouraged guests to share their unpleasant experiences online, demand services from “trusted professionals,” or stay in another venue until the end of the strike.

Accusations Against the Temp Workers, Baseless and Wrong

Virgin Las Vegas disagreed with the Culinary Union’s claims regarding the hired temporary workers. “The Culinary Union’s allegations that the individuals seeking to work with us are dishonest, untrained, or otherwise not qualified to work at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, are baseless and wrong,” the company wrote.

Additionally, the operator explained that workers filling in temporary roles are subject to the same wages applicable under the expired agreement with the Union. The hotel and gaming venue acknowledged that employees who have decided to go on strike are currently on strike leave. “Virgin Hotels Las Vegas will not take any action against them or terminate them,” the operator wrote.