The city of Las Vegas is currently shut down in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, and that has left over 60,000 people without jobs throughout the city. Most of these workers work in the entertainment industry, and there is no end in sight for them to return to work.
Almost all of these workers have applied for unemployment over the last few days, but a recent announcement should put them at ease.
Culinary Workers Union Local 226 represents almost all of these workers that are currently without jobs, and they reassured their workers that they would all be able to get their jobs back when the shut down is over. Local 226 communications director noted language in the contract between the workers and the companies that will allow them to retain their jobs immediately when everything opens back up.
The initial closure was scheduled to last at least 30 days after Governor Steve Sisolak ordered that all nonessential businesses be shut down. The closure started on March 17, but many companies in Las Vegas are preparing for the shutdown to last through April.
While union workers are protected by their contracts, employees who are not a part of Culinary Workers Union Local 226 will not be offered that same protection. Several companies have already stated that workers who are currently laid off will have to re-apply for their positions.
With workers all over the city losing their jobs over the past few weeks, the job market will be loaded with job seekers.
Most companies have agreed to pay their employees through the end of the month, while others have agreed to pay their full-time employees through the closure. Major companies in the city are looking for financial relief from state and federal governments.
Las Vegas Casinos Continue to Pitch in
With all of the casinos and resorts shut down in the city of Las Vegas for at least 30 days, several major companies have chipped in to help stop the spread of the coronavirus. Companies are donating to relief efforts as well as donating money to help out their employees who are currently without jobs.
MGM recently pledged to donate $1 million to an emergency employee fund, which will help workers maintain a paycheck despite being shut down. Current MGM Resorts Chief Executive Officer also donated $100,000 to displaced workers.
Musician Bruno Mars currently has a residency at one of MGM’s properties, Park Theater, and he also pledged $1 million in the relief efforts. Finally, the estate of Kirk Kerkorian, the founder of MGM, gave a whopping $2 million to the emergency employee fund.
Other major companies in the gaming industry have been donating money to Three Square Food Bank over the last few weeks. Three Square gives out close to 50 million pounds of food each year, and that number is expected to rise during the coronavirus pandemic that has shut down the city of Las Vegas.
Three Square received a $100,000 donation from The Wynn Employee Foundation. That money will help restock the shelves in the 40 distribution sites throughout Las Vegas.
Caesars Entertainment properties throughout the city pitched in to donate 116 pallets of fresh produce to Three Square. They also sent some food and other goods to other charitable organizations throughout Las Vegas.
Boyd Gaming and Golden Entertainment have both also donated food to local food pantries and charitable organizations throughout the past few weeks. Almost all Vegas properties have also offered their resorts or hotels as a place to house medical personnel to keep those workers safe.
