The Culinary Workers Union Local 226 has announced plans to picket Oak View Group (OVG) at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. The demonstration is scheduled to take place on Saturday, November 15, 2025, from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., before the UNLV Rebels Football game against Utah State Aggies.
According to the union, OVG took over as the employer for more than 730 cooks, servers, bartenders, and concessions workers at Allegiant Stadium in February 2025. Negotiations are currently underway for a new union contract that addresses job security, wage increases, and health care benefits.
Ted Pappageorge, Secretary-Treasurer for the Culinary Union, stated: “It is time for this company to get this contract done and OVG has a responsibility to make these hospitality jobs good union jobs. More than 730 cooks, servers, bartenders, and concessions workers at Allegiant Stadium show up every day to make every game day and event successful. OVG workers deserve a fair contract that protects their jobs, secures wage increases to keep up with the cost of living, and quality union health care benefits that working families rely on. OVG took over and assumed this contract, so now the company needs to step up, respect these workers, and do the right thing by settling a fair contract now.”
The Culinary Workers Union Local 226 represents approximately 60,000 employees in Las Vegas and Reno who work in casino resorts along the Las Vegas Strip and downtown areas. Its affiliate organization UNITE HERE represents around 300,000 workers across North America in gaming, hotel, and food service sectors.
Through its sponsored Culinary Health Fund—which covers more than 120,000 Nevadans—the union plays a significant role as one of Nevada’s largest healthcare consumers. The fund provides insurance coverage for members and their dependents.
The Culinary Union describes itself as Nevada’s largest Latino/a, Black, AAPI (Asian American Pacific Islander), and immigrant organization with members originating from over 178 countries speaking more than 40 languages. Since 2001 through its Citizenship Project affiliate program it has helped over 18,000 immigrants become U.S. citizens.
Women comprise about 55% of membership while immigrants account for roughly 60%. Demographically members are estimated at about: Latino/a (54%), white (18%), Asian (15%), Black (12%), Indigenous Peoples (less than one percent). Members work in various roles including guest room attendants; cocktail/food servers; porters; bellmen; cooks; bartenders; laundry staff; kitchen workers.
The Culinary Union reports it has advocated for working families in Nevada for nine decades.
