Mirage Workers Supported by Unions Ahead of Upcoming Closure
Thereās less than a week until the iconic gaming and hospitality resort, The Mirage Hotel & Casino, is expected to close its doors to visitors. The closure is related to a complete overhaul of the property that will transform it into Hard Rock Las Vegas.
July 17 will mark the closing date of the Mirage, putting an end to an era in the history of Sin City. The Mirage confirmed that it will host a farewell ceremony before closing its doors. The ceremony will start at 9 AM on July 17 and will include speeches from recognizable faces within the gambling sector, including Hard Rockās chairman and CEO of Seminole Gaming, Jim Allen, as well as the Mirageās president, Joe Lupo, among others.
Currently, some 1,700 workers at the casino resort are represented by the Culinary and Bartenders unions. The unions played a key role in helping workers affected by the closure to find new jobs with efforts including job fairs, information and training campaigns.
Ted Pappageorge, the Culinary Unionās secretary-treasurer, who was recently interviewed by the Las Vegas Sun revealed that closures such as the one at the Mirage are difficult. Still, he acknowledged the efforts of Hard Rock to make the property better which is an objective that is strongly supported by the Union.
āThe beautiful thing is that this company (Hard Rock International) ā itās going to remodel and reopen, and itās going to be bigger and better than before, and we 100% support that.ā
Ted Pappageorge, secretary-treasurer at the Culinary Union
Employees Affected by the Closure Can Select Different Compensation Options
Pappageorge explained that the closure marks a difficult period for the workers at the Mirage. He said that some of the workers have been employed at the world-famous casino resort for their entire careers, which is why it is difficult to see the property close its doors.
Speaking about the economy, Pappageorge said it āis back, and itās strong,ā adding that business is growing not only in Las Vegas but across the country as well. He said that while more visitors come to Sin City, there are different opportunities for the workers there.
In light of the upcoming closure, workers at the Mirage will have two different options. One of the options involves a compensation of $2,000 for every year the employee was with the hotel casino, as well as six months of medical insurance and pension. In case a worker selects this option, they wonāt be automatically rehired by the property once it reopens in about three years after the redevelopment.
On the other hand, employees at the Mirage can also choose another option that provides less attractive compensation. Whatās different is that the employees would be able to return to the property once its redevelopment is completed. While with the first option, workers can apply, with the second, their employment would be guaranteed.
