Trump International Hotel reached an agreement with two local unions Wednesday putting an end to a long stalemate at its Las Vegas location.
The Culinary Workers Union Local 226 and the Bartenders Union Local 165 have tried to unionize the location for over a year but hotel management has resisted. Management even ignored a successful union vote December 2015. The union in response launched numerous protests but the bitter fight looks to be coming to an end.
“This agreement is the result of tremendous efforts of the parties’ leadership teams,” Local 226 said in a press release. “Both the Culinary Union and the Trump International Hotel Las Vegas extend their congratulations to each other and each look forward to a mutually productive and peaceful labor-management partnership.”
The four-year union contract includes annual wage increases, a pension, family healthcare and job security. The two locals are both part of the national union Unite Here which also achieved a major victory at another Trump hotel. The newly opened Washington D.C. location also reached an agreement with the union Wednesday.
“The agreement speaks volumes about the hotel’s commitment to its employees and the value they place on their relationship with our organization,” Unite Here Local 25 President John Boardman said. “We look forward to pursuing a mutually productive partnership with Trump International Hotel Washington, D.C.”
The Washington D.C. hotel agreement is just preliminary since workers have yet to have a vote. Hotel management does promise to allow for an orderly organizing campaign as part of the agreement. The agreements mark a likely end to what had become a bitter labor dispute.
Hotel management even faced federal pressure for ignoring the earlier union vote. The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) ruled the election was valid and management needed to recognize the union. Management, however, continued to resist the organizing effort.
Donald Trump throughout the dispute was running for president which the union was able to leverage. Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton attended one of the union rallies in October 2015 while campaigning. She spoke in support of the union effort during the rally. Trump would eventually go on to win the presidency.
“Union workers at Trump International hotels are an inspiration to working people everywhere,” AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka said in a statement. “In two different ways, they have proven we can take on the powerful and win, even when the boss is running for President of the United States.”
The hotel has also been accused of trying to illegally silence workers who supported the unions. The NLRB has filed complaints against the hotel that includes allegations of physical assault, verbal abuse, intimidation and threats to silence union supporters.
Management filed a lawsuit October 2015 alleging the two locals knowingly lied in a flyer about Trump staying at an unionized hotel. The flyer was to show even Trump prefers hotels with unionized staff despite not letting his own workers organize.
Trump has faced significant opposition from the labor movement throughout the election. The Las Vegas hotel dispute seemed to only fuel that resentment. The AFL-CIO declared him its loser of the week multiple times throughout his campaign. The union cited the hotel labor dispute as one of the reasons.
Unite Here also used its national influence to put further pressure on hotel management. It held a protest outside the newly opened Washington D.C. location Oct. 13 to show solidarity with the Las Vegas workers. Other unions joined in to show support.
Hotel management did not respond to a request for comment by InsideSources.
