The ongoing conflict between Station Casinos and the Culinary Union in Las Vegas has shifted to the US Supreme Court. On September 4, Chief Justice John Roberts rejected an emergency request from Station Casinos to stay a federal appeals court ruling that demands the company’s Red Rock Casino Resort Spa in Summerlin to adhere to a National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) order. This order requires the casino to engage in good faith negotiations with the Culinary Union following a failed labor vote in late 2019. No explanation was provided for Roberts' denial.
The NLRB found that Red Rock obstructed a fair union election, leading to Red Rock’s lawsuit against the federal board. A decision by the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia upheld the NLRB’s ruling last month. The appeal court denied Station’s request for a rehearing on August 6 and subsequently refused to grant a stay while Station sought relief from the Supreme Court on August 24.
Red Rock may still seek a hearing from the Supreme Court, which has the discretion to take up the case. Until then, the casino is mandated to follow the NLRB ruling, which includes recognizing the union and bargaining upon its request, as well as posting notices about employee rights.
Station Casinos stated, "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 Culinary Union has chosen not to comment on the matter as of Wednesday.
The relationship between Station and the Culinary Union has been tumultuous for years, marked by media disputes, regulatory complaints in Nevada, and various legal challenges. The December 2019 election at Red Rock was particularly consequential. On November 19, 2019, Station announced a benefits overhaul for 14,000 employees at its ten properties. Shortly thereafter, the Culinary Union, which represents workers at seven other Station properties, filed to represent workers at Red Rock.
Despite a subsequent vote where Red Rock employees rejected unionization, the NLRB and the appeals court concluded that Red Rock’s actions hindered a fair election process. The timing of the new benefits package and the unionization petition continues to be a focal point in ensuing discussions.
The union has made significant strides in recent years, winning unionization across the Las Vegas Strip. In late 2023 and early 2024, Culinary employed city-wide strikes to negotiate multi-year labor agreements with several major operators, including Wynn, Caesars, and MGM.
Previously, Las Vegas Sands had been a notable non-union entity, but after its sale to Apollo Global Management in 2021, it reached a labor agreement with Culinary, making history in 2024. The political landscape surrounding this feud has also developed, with the Fertitta family, owners of Station, being significant Republican donors, while Culinary is aligned with Democratic candidates.
In August, former President Donald Trump held a rally at Red Rock where he praised the Fertitta family, which spurred a strong reaction from Culinary. The union condemned both the event and the support of Trump and Governor Joe Lombardo, questioning why the governor stands with them instead of advocating for the working-class individuals essential to Nevada’s economy.
