Las Vegas hospitality union sues employers

Las Vegas Culinary Workers Union Local 226 on Monday announced it is suing several employers on the Las Vegas strip over unsafe working conditions during the coronavirus pandemic.

The union representing 60,000 workers said in a statement it is asking for injunctive relief under the Labor-Management Relations Act based on the “hazardous working conditions” that workers face.

The lawsuit alleges casino hotels have not protected workers, their families and their community from the spread of COVID-19, and that the current rules and procedures in place for responding to workers contracting COVID-19 have been “wholly and dangerously inadequate,” according to the statement.

The Culinary Union is “demanding safety for all hospitality and gaming workers in Nevada” and made a number of requests for policy changes, including daily cleaning of guest rooms, mandatory testing of all employees for COVID-19 before returning to work and regular testing thereafter, adequate personal protective equipment for workers, and a requirement that guests wear face masks in all public areas.

More insurance and workers compensation news on the coronavirus crisis here.