Culinary Union (14,250 workers ) ratifies deal with Harrah's Entertainment

[Omaha Steve]

Source: Associated Press

Culinary Union ratifies deal with Harrah's Entertainment
By RYAN NAKASHIMA
AP Business Writer

June 17, 2007, 5:53 PM EDT

LAS VEGAS -- Union members representing 14,250 workers at six Las Vegas casinos owned by Harrah's Entertainment Inc. voted overwhelmingly to approve a five-year contract on Saturday.

Some 97 percent of the voting members of the Culinary Workers Union Local 226 and the Bartenders Union Local 165 backed the agreement, which was negotiated over the last three months, the unions said.

The agreement included the largest wage and benefits increase in the history of the unions, a spokeswoman for the unions said. Harrah's said wages and benefits would increase an average 3.7 percent per year for the next five years, or $3.47 per hour total.

When including some guaranteed gratuity arrangements and salary continuation agreements if properties are closed, the total package would cost Harrah's an extra $265 million over five years, said Marilyn Winn, a Harrah's regional president and chief negotiator.


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