The Las Vegas Culinary Union has added itself to the list of those not in favor of the Oakland Athletics’ prospective relocation. This is because they claim they’ve been trying to negotiate a neutrality agreement with the ball club for over a year, but have been unsuccessful. Secretary/Treasurer Ted Pappageorge of Culinary Local 226 and Bartenders Local 165 emailed Casino.org and expressed concern that the organization does not have a card-check neutrality agreement with the A’s. He went on to explain that all baseball players on the Oakland roster are protected by a union contract, and hospitality workers who will be employed at the proposed stadium should also have the opportunity to unionize.
The Culinary Union has represented Las Vegas hospitality workers for 88 years, including guest room attendants, cocktail and food servers, porters, bellmen, cooks, bartenders, and laundry and kitchen workers. Pappageorge also noted that the union has been in contact with the Clark County Commission and the Nevada Legislature about the issue of neutrality, especially if the stadium’s $1.5 billion price tag relies on public funds.
Furthermore, a Las Vegas Review-Journal article reported that the A’s are seeking $500 million in public assistance to build their stadium. The A’s and their partner, Red Rock Resorts, would personally contribute $1 billion. The stadium is planned for the Red Rock’s 49-acre Wild West site, located near the Las Vegas Strip and north of Allegiant Stadium. The public money would be generated through a special tax district, and the A’s would be bound to an agreement not to relocate for 30 years if public taxes are approved.
Pappageorge ended his email by encouraging all stakeholders to invest due diligence to guarantee the interests of Nevadans are safeguarded. He also mentioned that the Culinary Union will advocate for the stadium to be built by local building trade unions, with good union jobs, and that any taxpayer funds required for community benefits, public services, and education should be effectively reviewed.
