On this day in Labor History the year was 1991.
That was the day that members of Culinary Workers Union Local 226 went on strike against the Frontier Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.
What they did not know was that the strike would last for more than six years—becoming one of the longest work actions in U.S. labor history.
The Frontier was the second casino to open on the Vegas Strip in 1942.
At the time of the strike the Elardi family owned the historic casino.
The Elardi’s were vehemently anti-union.
They renovated the old facility and then reopened refusing to sign a contract to pay its workers the same rate provided at most other Vegas casinos.
Claiming that the Frontier was too small to match the wages of the larger outfits, management refused to budge from their position.
In response, Local 226 members mobilized.
The year before Hattie Canty had been elected President of the local.
She was a black mother of ten children and a widow.
She had worked as a hotel maid.
Her leadership brought new determination to the Culinary Union.
Local 226 set up 24-hour picket lines outside the Frontier.
The strike was joined by Bartenders Local 165, Teamsters Local 995, Operating Engineers local 501 and Carpenters Local 1780.
The strike became an important moment in Vegas labor history—as other casino owners looked on, watching the labor battle unfold.
The unions stood strong.
The picketers demand that the owners should “Sell, Shut Down, or Sign.”
In the end, the Elardis decide to sell.
The new ownership signed a union contract and rehired 280 striking workers.
Triumphant union members cut a red ribbon at the hotel to mark their victory.
May 29 - The Little Steel Strike Revs Up
May 28 - The 54th Massachusetts
May 27 - Rubber Workers Push Back Against War Profiteering
May 26 - SWOC Strikes Little Steel
May 25 - Striking Teamsters Triumph
May 24 - Operation Humanity Marching for Dignity
May 23 - The Battle of Toledo
May 22 - The Battle of Deputies’ Run
May 21 - Striking to Save Their Union
May 20 - Relief Workers Sit Down in Vancouver
May 19 - Explosion on the Jersey Docks
May 18 - The TVA Transforms the South
May 17 - Striking for Dignity and Respect
May 16 - Minneapolis Teamsters Lead the Way
May 15 - The Winnipeg General Strike Begins
May 14 - Wobblies On the Waterfront
May 13 - Women Strike Tolteca Foods
May 12 - Of ICE Raids & Union Busting
May 11 - Organizing in the Fields
May 10 - Bankruptcy Bonanza for Big Bankers
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