Vegas is Struggling in 2025

[Dan Druff]

Random post by an unknown-

Vegas native here - Las Vegas did this to themselves over the past 15 years or so. First went the free parking, then nickel-diming your spend through loyalty clubs that don't reward you for anything, nixing plans to place solar panels on parking garage roofs for increased sustainability, expanding to markets it has no business being in, and spending tons of capital to lobby Japan for legalized gaming when they should've reinvested it in existing infrastructure (looking at you Luxor/Excalibur - the meth labs of the Las Vegas Strip).

On top of that, Vegas has no clue what to do with the 20s-30s crowd who want fuck all to do with gambling (so these cavernous casinos stay mostly empty), demand staff loyalty while cutting jobs by the thousands (and stifling any talk of unionism), and giving golden parachutes to its inept C-Suite execs despite the garbage profitability numbers raked in under their watch.

The city was smart in pivoting to pro sports, but shouldered that burden on taxpayers.

Unless Vegas pulls its head out of the desert sand, it will be a ghost town by 2050.

This sounds like an idiotic libtard who just wants to complain.

LOL at whining about no solar panels on the parking garage roofs for "increased sustainability". Get the fuck outta here.

Reminds me when I read hotel reviews from people complaining about "lack of COVID safety". Again, I ignore everything else they have to say.

He/she happens to hit on a few decent points, but for the most part they're all over the place and don't know what they're talking about.

Druff, I am sorry, but this is exactly how you have turned purple and respond like a liberal here. You push back with emotional answers only, insult and cant validate anything. As usual, lets break it down...

- "This sounds like an idiotic libtard who just wants to complain."- How so, you just did the same thing. What makes them a liberal vs giving their own personal opinion or real-life experiences on the issue?

- "LOL at whining about no solar panels on the parking garage roofs for "increased sustainability". Get the fuck outta here."- I admit, when I scanned the post, I blew off this one part. But then I started to think about it- Why not use the sun for energy and/or atleast power the utilities in the casino parking garage? I know several fire stations where they put these panels in the back parking lot and in addition to capturing energy, it shades the employee's cars as well, win-win. Please explain exactly how is this whining or such a bad idea? I mean if the casino saves money on the power bill, isnt that easier on the jew-wallet?

- "Reminds me when I read hotel reviews from people complaining about "lack of COVID safety". I agree with you here, but that was blue Nevada and Clark County mandated, not hotel management and the author of this post did not include that, you did.

- "He/she happens to hit on a few decent points, but for the most part they're all over the place and don't know what they're talking about." Ok, so now you agree with a few points, but how are they all over the place and dont know what they are talking about- can you cite any specific point?

I would just hope you can expand on your opinion and get away from the old liberal trick of- "because I say so".

How was I responding like a liberal? I was doing the opposite. I was saying I dismissed this person as soon as I noticed them bitching about lack of sustainability. While solar panels on parking structures wouldn't be a bad idea, no tourist should care if they're doing this or not, unless they are a left wing ecofanatic.

Also LOL @ "stifling any talk of unionism". There is a HUGE union which covers most hotel workers -- the culinary union. This union is so gigantic and all-encompassing that it holds the city hostage every few years until it gets what it wants. This idiot wants MORE unions? Yeah, that'll bring prices down.

In short, this person has no clue, and is infusing politics (not even your politics) into their opinions.

[desertrunner]

How was I responding like a liberal? I was doing the opposite. I was saying I dismissed this person as soon as I noticed them bitching about lack of sustainability. While solar panels on parking structures wouldn't be a bad idea, no tourist should care if they're doing this or not, unless they are a left wing ecofanatic.

Yes, you did respond like a liberal- Again, you just attacked the person and their speech and couldnt cite or support your side. I didnt see them "bitching", just making a statement. The solar panels on the rook of the parking garage, they just mentioned it once, not hammered us with it. I think its a good idea, nit not going to ramrod it.

Also LOL @ "stifling any talk of unionism". There is a HUGE union which covers most hotel workers -- the culinary union. This union is so gigantic and all-encompassing that it holds the city hostage every few years until it gets what it wants. This idiot wants MORE unions? Yeah, that'll bring prices down.

Yes, I already demolished this idea and make an awesome presentation about unions in this thread in Post #179. I proved that unions in Las Vegas have and will save the industry, the local economy and local jobs.

In short, this person has no clue, and is infusing politics (not even your politics) into their opinions.

I think the Vegas local did fine on a quick opinion piece about the decline of Las Vegas and cited examples vs just using the "because I say so" tactic.

[desertrunner]

Earlier in this thread, I wrote about and defended the service unions in Las Vegas. I want to point out that I do NOT approve of or defend these types of actions from anyone- blocking traffic. The union members should have not done this as its a bad look and doesnt help their cause.

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[Dan Druff]

Thanks for proving my point about the Culinary Union and how it is part of Vegas' problems.

[desertrunner]

Thanks for proving my point about the Culinary Union and how it is part of Vegas' problems.

Come on Druff, that's not accurate at all. The Service Workers Union #226 has been in-service since 1935, atleast the last 90 years with no real problems. When you were coming to Vegas with your parents in the 80s, you didnt notice the union then, only when you picked a political side.

And then this very one issue in 90 years pops up and you falsely broad brush it as "part of Vegas' problems". Over the last year, Vegas has been commuting it's own suicide and we all know is NOT because of Local Union 226 asking for long over due raises and better working conditions.

Again, I am PRO union, but against these type of lame tactics. The union needs to run ads and maximize their social media awareness. This is a bad look for us union people.

Agree with these statements-

This shit needs to stop! I have no problems with Unions striking but stop F@@king up other peoples lives because you’re disgruntled!

Demonstrate all you want, but the instant you disrupt or hinder someone else’s life-who may agree-you have stepped outside your First Amendment rights.

That’s the polite version.

Grow up and start acting like responsible adults and not a fucking child throwing a tantrum.

Some recent history on Local #226 from August- All major Las Vegas Strip casinos are now unionized in historic labor victory
Backed by 60,000 members, most of them in Las Vegas, it is the largest labor union in Nevada.

LAS VEGAS — When Susana Pacheco accepted a housekeeping job at a casino on the Las Vegas Strip 16 years ago, she believed it was a step toward stability for her and her 2-year-old daughter.

But the single mom found herself exhausted, falling behind on bills and without access to stable health insurance, caught in a cycle of low pay and little support. For years, she said, there was no safety net in sight — until now.

For 25 years, her employer, the Venetian, had resisted organizing efforts as one of the last holdouts on the Strip, locked in a prolonged standoff with the Culinary Workers Union. But a recent change in ownership opened the Venetian’s doors to union representation just as the Strip’s newest casino, the Fontainebleau, was also inking its first labor contract.

The historic deals finalized late last year mark a major turning point: For the first time in the Culinary Union’s 90-year history, all major casinos on the Strip are unionized. Backed by 60,000 members, most of them in Las Vegas, it is the largest labor union in Nevada. Experts say the Culinary Union’s success is a notable exception in a national landscape where union membership overall is declining.

Like I said in Post #179- Better workers (union) make for a better and more stable working environment with less turnover, better productivity and less hiring, onboarding, outfitting and training. Your Vegas experience is much better and faster with solid and veteran work force. In the long run, union employees are better and inexpensive for the operation, guests and your jew-wallet.

[Tellafriend]

Comments

desertrunner: Stop being gay.



do you realize you are the only person left here who uses red rep on the daily so much he runs out and comes back to the prior day's threads to deliver them?


nice avatar btw. your what, 3rd or 4th this week?


desertpedo.

[Dan Druff]

I am not interested in discussing anything from 1935. That time can't be compared to today.

We also can't compare the 1980s to today. I didn't pay attention to any union type controversies in those days. As a teen coming to Vegas, I did notice and was fascinated with the mafia presence there, but that's about it. I did not know or care about labor disputes.

What I can say today is that Culinary Local 226 is WAY too big and powerful, and encompasses enough jobs to where they can shut down operations at hotels and restaurants on the strip. This allows them to threaten work stoppages every time their contract is up, and make all kinds of new demands.

This adds expense to the hotels and restaurants, and this gets passed on to visitors.

That's not to say the hotels/restaurants aren't greedy and out of touch. They are, and there's finally the deserved backlash to that. But the union is making things worse, not better.

[desertrunner]

What I can say today is that Culinary Local 226 is WAY too big and powerful, and encompasses enough jobs to where they can shut down operations at hotels and restaurants on the strip. This allows them to threaten work stoppages every time their contract is up, and make all kinds of new demands.

They can, but have they ever dont this? I know they have striked before, but it was not a major incident, correct?

This adds expense to the hotels and restaurants, and this gets passed on to visitors.

It really doesnt and I did address this in Post #179.

That's not to say the hotels/restaurants aren't greedy and out of touch. They are, and there's finally the deserved backlash to that.

As we have covered so many times in this thread, the CEOs and corporations have killed Vegas, no one else. Not Trump or the unions. They even admit it.

But the union is making things worse, not better.

How so, examples? Other than "because I say so".

Druff, I get that you dont like the Vegas service union, but when you address this topic, you never get out of 1st gear. You always speak and post in generalities that dont have any backing or historical value. I know you take the Conservative view on unions, but I see them too doing the same thing on the gun boards- Unions are bad, because I say so, I don't like them.

But can you cite any time or incident in particular? You've made the same argument here twice and without substance. Yes, the fucked up above with the traffic block and I was the first one to say it was wrong. But if you go back to Post #179, I broke it all down and PROVED how being union does save money and productivity in the long run.

The service unions in Vegas is for the better and longevity of the operations and I proved it.Otherwise, the hotels would shut down or be a whole lot slower due to poor staffing and high turn over. Go back and re-read Post #179.

[mickeycrimm]

Yes, there was a major strike. I was there and seen it. I actually felt sorry for the picketers in the summer. The Frontier strike lasted over six years in the 90’s. Owned by Margaret Elardi. The pickets were up 24/7/365. The strike lasted until she sold the place. Longest strike in US history. The workers won their jobs back with backpay and benefits.

Her son, Tom Elardi, owns Casino Royale next to Harrah’s. The Elardi’s still own a lot of land around the Frontier site. Margaret died about ten years ago.

[Dan Druff]

Yes, there was a major strike. I was there and seen it. I actually felt sorry for the picketers in the summer. The Frontier strike lasted over six years in the 90’s. Owned by Margaret Elardi. The pickets were up 24/7/365. The strike lasted until she sold the place. Longest strike in US history. The workers won their jobs back with backpay and benefits.

Her son, Tom Elardi, owns Casino Royale next to Harrah’s. The Elardi’s still own a lot of land around the Frontier site. Margaret died about ten years ago.

I remember that, too, but it only affected the Frontier.

The modern Culinary Local 226 affects all of the strip, and there are too many positions covered, to where it effectively holds the strip hostage.

Every time a new contract is coming up, we get the same mating dance:

- Culinary union demands all kinds of outlandish things

- Hotels say nope, can't afford that

- Culinary union says "Okay, we've set a strike date. Good luck running your hotels with no employees."

- Hotels say, "Hang on, let's negotiate"

- The two sides come to a "compromise", which is not even a real middle ground. It's a fake middle ground where the union makes outlandish demands, and then "settles" for what they were really going to ask for in the first place.



The hotels aren't stupid. They know what's going on here, but they can't stop it.

How is this a good thing for Vegas, desertrunner?

[desertrunner]

I remember that, too, but it only affected the Frontier.

I remember seeing this in person in the 90s atleast 20 times. The wooden hut on the sidewalk with the coffee pot always going, they were bundled up in the winter, all times. I was always like- Why not just go get a job some place else? I also always remember the Frontier being a not so desired hotel to stay at and I would go to the Palace Station or Gold Coast at the time. The Frontier strikers always struck me as a little odd, but got to give them credit for being persistent.

The modern Culinary Local 226 affects all of the strip, and there are too many positions covered, to where it effectively holds the strip hostage.

Druff, you are being way too over dramatic here, its not that extreme.

Every time a new contract is coming up, we get the same mating dance:

- Culinary union demands all kinds of outlandish things

- Hotels say nope, can't afford that

- Culinary union says "Okay, we've set a strike date. Good luck running your hotels with no employees."

- Hotels say, "Hang on, let's negotiate"

Druff, respectfully, this is part of the reason you turned purple- you sensationalize like the left to ram home a point, but not really accurate and specific. Youre generalizing way too much. Exactly what "outlandish" things did they demand? And they just dont set a strike date, there are a number of meetings and negotiations.

- The two sides come to a "compromise", which is not even a real middle ground. It's a fake middle ground where the union makes outlandish demands, and then "settles" for what they were really going to ask for in the first place.

Any examples of this? You are sensationalizing here for the sake of shock value.

The hotels aren't stupid. They know what's going on here, but they can't stop it.

They can actually, they are not laying off employees as Vegas slowly kills itself.

[How is this a good thing for Vegas, desertrunner?

I have answered all of this in Post #179 of this thread. I just dont feel like going back and grabbing the link or pasting all of the points. But the truth is, without unions, the Vegas hotels would be atleast 25% less productive with massive employee turnover and re-hiring. I used the Costco model as a great example. I also used the non-union In N Out example

Druff, I get you dont like the unions, but you also repeat post here sensationalizing to sell a point thats not very accurate. You talking about the inter-working the Culinary Service union is like me talking about playing in the WSOP, we both really dont know.Unfortonately, youve never been in a union, but I wish you were in a good union atleast once and you would have seen and learned alot. I just wish you wouldnt left-side sensationalize here and keep your posts to more honest and realistic material.

Yes, I am pro-union, but its because I am pro fair and realistic negotiations at the table, not exotic and wild demands. And the stunt they pulled in the traffic at LAS, I do not support or and disagree with. So much, I have written to the union management to advised them.

I just wish you would stick t your higher "no fraud" values when it comes to writing about the unions because youre usually fair and accurate in the past, but take a false hard turn on the topic.

Druff- I am not attacking you here, but you do play the straw man "because I say so" card often and I wish you could support your accusations.

[Tellafriend]

I remember seeing this in person in the 90s atleast 20 times. The wooden hut on the sidewalk with the coffee pot always going, they were bundled up in the winter, all times. I was always like- Why not just go get a job some place else? I also always remember the Frontier being a not so desired hotel to stay at and I would go to the Palace Station or Gold Coast at the time. The Frontier strikers always struck me as a little odd, but got to give them credit for being persistent.

The modern Culinary Local 226 affects all of the strip, and there are too many positions covered, to where it effectively holds the strip hostage.

Druff, you are being way too over dramatic here, its not that extreme.

Every time a new contract is coming up, we get the same mating dance:

- Culinary union demands all kinds of outlandish things

- Hotels say nope, can't afford that

- Culinary union says "Okay, we've set a strike date. Good luck running your hotels with no employees."

- Hotels say, "Hang on, let's negotiate"

Druff, respectfully, this is part of the reason you turned purple- you sensationalize like the left to ram home a point, but not really accurate and specific. Youre generalizing way too much. Exactly what "outlandish" things did they demand? And they just dont set a strike date, there are a number of meetings and negotiations.

- The two sides come to a "compromise", which is not even a real middle ground. It's a fake middle ground where the union makes outlandish demands, and then "settles" for what they were really going to ask for in the first place.

Any examples of this? You are sensationalizing here for the sake of shock value.

The hotels aren't stupid. They know what's going on here, but they can't stop it.

They can actually, they are not laying off employees as Vegas slowly kills itself.

[How is this a good thing for Vegas, desertrunner?

I have answered all of this in Post #179 of this thread. I just dont feel like going back and grabbing the link or pasting all of the points. But the truth is, without unions, the Vegas hotels would be atleast 25% less productive with massive employee turnover and re-hiring. I used the Costco model as a great example. I also used the non-union In N Out example

Druff, I get you dont like the unions, but you also repeat post here sensationalizing to sell a point thats not very accurate. You talking about the inter-working the Culinary Service union is like me talking about playing in the WSOP, we both really dont know.Unfortonately, youve never been in a union, but I wish you were in a good union atleast once and you would have seen and learned alot. I just wish you wouldnt left-side sensationalize here and keep your posts to more honest and realistic material.

Yes, I am pro-union, but its because I am pro fair and realistic negotiations at the table, not exotic and wild demands. And the stunt they pulled in the traffic at LAS, I do not support or and disagree with. So much, I have written to the union management to advised them.

I just wish you would stick t your higher "no fraud" values when it comes to writing about the unions because youre usually fair and accurate in the past, but take a false hard turn on the topic.

Druff- I am not attacking you here, but you do play the straw man "because I say so" card often and I wish you could support your accusations.

STFU


just STFU for a while.

[Dan Druff]

I will never support a union which is so large that it can cripple an entire city's main industry when it strikes.

You can try to spin this in whichever way you like, claim I don't know the details, claim I don't know unions well, etc.

None of this matter. If they can effectively shut down the strip with a strike, they are too big and powerful.

[desertrunner]

I will never support a union which is so large that it can cripple an entire city's main industry when it strikes.

You can try to spin this in whichever way you like, claim I don't know the details, claim I don't know unions well, etc.

None of this matter. If they can effectively shut down the strip with a strike, they are too big and powerful.

Thats fair.

Per a Google, it only happened once over 40 years ago in 1984, probably before any of us were gambling there. Looking at modern times, it hasnt happened since and I dont see it as an issue now. Props to them in 84, they made history and the modern day casino management knows better now keeping the bargaining table fair and equal.

I actually like that the union is that big and they have so much control. Why, keep the entire industry fair, equal and allows fair bargaining at the negotiating table. Why cant the scales of justice be fair in the service industry? No one wants to work for a draconian nazi-like organization.

I also see it this way- You like to and have to sometimes call on customer service to complain about hotel service, airline, bills, etc. Can you imagine the table between you and the company not being fair? What if they just ignored and muzzled you because they could- you'd be pissed. So I see you and the union members in the same boat- you want to be heard and given a fair voice and chance at what you want.

Also, I now own stock in a major property and casino line (RRR). As a very small "owner", I rather the labor be union and organized so the operation doesnt keep having a large and constant turnover driving down productivity 25% with turnover. Like I said in Post #179, the Costco employee union model is awesome and works very well.

Also, we should be very grateful for the union mentality. Because of it, in the 1700s, the found colonist stood up and fought against the draconian UK leadership. Had they just rolled over and let management rule and control the new territory, the USA wouldnt exist today.

Again, the recent traffic stunt at LAS airport was dumb and shouldnt have happened as it made them and unions look lame. The best tactic would have been to educate the public with billboards and newspaper ads.

All I ask is that you be more accurate on the details posted here and not sensationalize.

[BetCheckBet]

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desertrunner: You can lick my balls.



so you encourage men to lick your genitals.

[Sanlmar]

The Acquired podcast bros claimed at one point that Hermes (the luxury goods maker) had the highest employee retention. Employees entered into an apprenticeship to learn the saddle stitch used in $5,000 handbags, for example. Difficult to replace and worthy of compensation

In the same breath, they mentioned Costco being #2 by their measure. Woha vickey!

I have really never been in a Costco but I imagine it to be first in class for its market segment.

I didn’t really think of them as being union but maybe that explains things.

If buffets in Vegas were shut down who in the fuck would care other than Druff?

[BetCheckBet]

The Acquired podcast bros claimed at one point that Hermes (the luxury goods maker) had the highest employee retention. Employees entered into an apprenticeship to learn the saddle stitch used in $5,000 handbags, for example. Difficult to replace and worthy of compensation

In the same breath, they mentioned Costco being #2 by their measure. Woha vickey!

I have really never been in a Costco but I imagine it to be first in class for its market segment.

I didn’t really think of them as being union but maybe that explains things.

If buffets in Vegas were shut down who in the fuck would care other than Druff?

In Canada Costco is viewed of being one of the best retailers to work for. Their starting pay is very high and have lots of opportunities to move up the ladder. Most Costco workers are NOT unionized in Canada but they do have the backing of USA unions which has some influence albeit small.

[Sanlmar]

The Acquired podcast bros claimed at one point that Hermes (the luxury goods maker) had the highest employee retention. Employees entered into an apprenticeship to learn the saddle stitch used in $5,000 handbags, for example. Difficult to replace and worthy of compensation

In the same breath, they mentioned Costco being #2 by their measure. Woha vickey!

I have really never been in a Costco but I imagine it to be first in class for its market segment.

I didn’t really think of them as being union but maybe that explains things.

If buffets in Vegas were shut down who in the fuck would care other than Druff?

In Canada Costco is viewed of being one of the best retailers to work for. Their starting pay is very high and have lots of opportunities to move up the ladder. Most Costco workers are NOT unionized in Canada but they do have the backing of USA unions which has some influence albeit small.

Warren Buffet was no fool and was famously a Costco investor forever. He finally sold and admitted he probably made a huge mistake

[Dan Druff]

I will never support a union which is so large that it can cripple an entire city's main industry when it strikes.

You can try to spin this in whichever way you like, claim I don't know the details, claim I don't know unions well, etc.

None of this matter. If they can effectively shut down the strip with a strike, they are too big and powerful.

Thats fair.

Per a Google, it only happened once over 40 years ago in 1984, probably before any of us were gambling there. Looking at modern times, it hasnt happened since and I dont see it as an issue now. Props to them in 84, they made history and the modern day casino management knows better now keeping the bargaining table fair and equal.

I actually like that the union is that big and they have so much control. Why, keep the entire industry fair, equal and allows fair bargaining at the negotiating table. Why cant the scales of justice be fair in the service industry? No one wants to work for a draconian nazi-like organization.

I also see it this way- You like to and have to sometimes call on customer service to complain about hotel service, airline, bills, etc. Can you imagine the table between you and the company not being fair? What if they just ignored and muzzled you because they could- you'd be pissed. So I see you and the union members in the same boat- you want to be heard and given a fair voice and chance at what you want.

Also, I now own stock in a major property and casino line (RRR). As a very small "owner", I rather the labor be union and organized so the operation doesnt keep having a large and constant turnover driving down productivity 25% with turnover. Like I said in Post #179, the Costco employee union model is awesome and works very well.

Also, we should be very grateful for the union mentality. Because of it, in the 1700s, the found colonist stood up and fought against the draconian UK leadership. Had they just rolled over and let management rule and control the new territory, the USA wouldnt exist today.

Again, the recent traffic stunt at LAS airport was dumb and shouldnt have happened as it made them and unions look lame. The best tactic would have been to educate the public with billboards and newspaper ads.

All I ask is that you be more accurate on the details posted here and not sensationalize.

You seem not to understand that holding the industry hostage with the THREAT of striking is almost as bad as actually striking.

This tilts the power dynamic too strongly to labor, which is never what labor unions were intended to be.

Picture this:

You're in middle school, and a really big kid says, "Give me your lunch money, or I'll beat you up!" You tell the kid you have to eat, so he demands half your lunch money and says that's the minimum he'll take. Knowing he can and will beat you up, you give him half, and just eat a snack for lunch, as you can no longer afford a full lunch.

You get to the end of the school year and finally tell one of your friends what has been going on. The friend asks, "What's the problem? Has he ever beaten you up? Has he ever beaten anyone up? If not, he's not at fault. Until he throws a punch, I don't see a problem with his actions."

Would this make any sense?

Of course not. You're giving the guy your lunch money in order to prevent worse consequences for not doing so.



That's what the Culinary Union is doing here. When their contract expires, they threaten to "beat up" the hospitality industry on the strip unless they get their way. The businesses panic and say, "We don't want to get beaten up, but we can't afford to give you what you're asking", and the bully says back, "Give us half of what we're asking", and a new contract is signed.

The union has all of the leverage, and they basically squeeze the maximum out they can each time.

This, of course, is one of the factors keeping the prices high. It's not the only factor, but it's a factor.

Then there's all the other problems which come with over-powerful unions, such as the inability to fire bad employees with seniority, and a general decline in service which occurs as a result.