Former Mirage Worker Sues Union Over Severance Dispute

According to information published in the Las Vegas Review-Journal, citing the National Labor Relations Board, one of the former Mirage workers filed a lawsuit against the union last month. The lawsuit alleges that Mirage employees were not properly informed of the severance pay process following the closure of the landmark establishment.

The lawsuit also alleges denial of access and failure to take into account “super seniority.” The lawsuit names Culinary Local 226 as a defendant. The plaintiff notified Mirage of the lawsuit, acknowledging that they are not subject to the lawsuit but can provide important information on the allegations.

"For the past six months, said labor organization, through its officers, agents, and representatives, has restricted and coerced employees from exercising their rights guaranteed by Section 7 of the National Labor Relations Act by its actions, including, but not limited to, refusing to accept employee grievances from its bargaining unit regarding their status and closing the Mirage Hotel and Casino for arbitrary, discriminatory, or unfair reasons," the lawsuit against Culinary Local 226 states.

Before the Mirage closed on July 17, Culinary Union offered its aggrieved workers two compensation options. The first option would have provided $2,000 for each year of service, plus six months of retirement and health insurance. However, the workers would not be automatically reinstated at the Hard Rock Las Vegas, which is scheduled to open in 2027.

The second option offered less attractive compensation, but its main advantage was the guaranteed reinstatement of workers upon completion of the hotel and casino refurbishment.

In total, the Mirage closure affected more than 3,000 workers, of whom about 1,700 were unionized.