Union pickets Cosmopolitan in Vegas for third time

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

11 years ago

Culinary Union Secretary General Geoconda Arguello-Kline, left, and President Ted Pappageorge chant during a rally of the union in front of the Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas Friday. The union is calling for a contract for workers at the casino. Lining the walkway above are union members and supporters.

Culinary Union members and supporters rally in front of the Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas Friday. The union is calling for a contract for workers at the casino.

LAS VEGAS – Sin City’s largest union picketed the Las Vegas Strip for the third time this year on Friday.

Culinary Union leaders say they’ve stalled on major issues with Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas owner Deutsche Bank. Labor and management have been negotiating a contract for two years, sparing over wages, health care and job security.

The Cosmopolitan, which was built by the German investment bank after its original developer defaulted, is one of just a handful of non-unionized casinos on the Strip.

A majority of Cosmopolitan service workers signed cards in 2010 saying they wanted representation.

In March, dozens of picketers allowed themselves to be arrested. No arrests were planned Friday.

Before the pickets began this year, the union had not protested on the Strip for a decade.