The long-standing feud between Station Casinos and the Culinary Union in Las Vegas escalated this month, culminating in a crucial decision from the US Supreme Court. On September 4, Chief Justice John Roberts rejected Station Casinos' emergency plea to stay a federal appeals court ruling that mandates the company's Red Rock Casino Resort Spa in Summerlin to engage in good faith negotiations with the union after a disputed labor vote in late 2019. Notably, Roberts did not provide an explanation for his decision.
The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) concluded that Red Rock took actions that compromised a fair union election. In response to these findings, Red Rock initiated legal action, but the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia upheld the NLRB's decision last month. After the appeals court denied a rehearing request on August 6, it also dismissed Station's request for a stay pending Supreme Court intervention on August 24.
While Red Rock still holds the option to petition the Supreme Court for hearing, compliance with the NLRB ruling is now necessary. This ruling compels the casino to recognize and bargain with the Culinary Union when requested, among other obligations such as posting employee rights notices.
Station Casinos responded by stating, “The NLRB decision overturned the clear vote of Red Rock team members rejecting the Culinary Union. The decision prevents any company from granting benefits to its employees if it is aware of union interest in organizing the company's employees and nullifies the Red Rock team members’ vote to be union-free, all because Station Casinos treated its team members too well.”
The conflict between Station and the Culinary Union has persisted for years, marked by public disputes and regulatory complaints, but the December 2019 election at Red Rock has significantly impacted their relationship.
In November 2019, Station Casinos announced a new benefits program for its 14,000 employees across ten properties. Just two days later, the Culinary Union, which represents workers at seven other Station properties, filed to represent employees at Red Rock. In December, Red Rock employees voted against unionization by a margin of 627-534, though the NLRB and the DC appeals court maintain that the company hindered a fair election. The timing of the benefits announcement relative to the unionization effort remains a contentious element of the case.
Station's petition to the Supreme Court highlights the benefits rollout as an essential factor, asserting that the District Court found it aimed to deter union organizing.
In contrast to Station's position, the Culinary Union has made significant strides, particularly with the Las Vegas Strip now being entirely unionized. The union successfully orchestrated city-wide strikes that led to multi-year labor agreements with several prominent operators including Wynn, Caesars, and MGM.
Historically, the only significant non-union stronghold in Las Vegas besides Station was Las Vegas Sands. However, after Apollo Global Management acquired the Venetian-Palazzo in 2021, the new owners ratified the property’s first collective bargaining agreement with the Culinary Union in 2024.
The feud has also taken on political dimensions over the years. Station Casinos is owned by the Fertitta family, known for their substantial support of Republican candidates, while the Culinary Union predominantly aligns with Democratic ideals.
In a relevant political event last month, President Donald Trump held a rally at Red Rock, praising the Fertittas. However, the Culinary Union condemned the event and criticized the Fertittas for their political donations and support for Republican Governor Joe Lombardo. The union issued a statement questioning why the governor associates with Station Casinos and Trump when the state's economy relies heavily on unionized workers.
