Members of the Culinary Workers Union Local 226 are set to strike May 9 at Valley Hospital Medical Center in Las Vegas.
The union represents about 90 housekeepers, cooks, cashiers, kitchen workers and stewards, according to a CWU news release. Valley Hospital is part of the Valley Health System, a network of six acute care hospitals serving patients throughout Southern Nevada and surrounding areas. Valley Health System is part of King of Prussia, Pa.-based Universal Health Services.
Union members have been in negotiations with the hospital and are prepared to strike if a contract is not reached.
"Valley Hospital is union busting and is trying to take away good Culinary Union healthcare and pension from workers," Ted Pappageorge, secretary-treasurer for the Culinary Union, said in the union release. "Valley Hospital employees have been unionized for over 40 years and they are essential workers who haven't had a contractual raise in seven years and they deserve one."
Union members are seeking to keep benefits, pension, healthcare and job security.
The strike plans come after union members picketed last year after the firing of a committee leader and 40-year union member.
Valley Hospital shared the following statement with local NBC affiliate News 3: "As we prepare to return to the bargaining table on April 25, we remain committed to engaging in good faith negotiations and reaching a durable, modern contract reflective of our operations, supporting the highest quality patient care, and providing a rewarding, collegial workplace for our staff who are covered by this collective bargaining agreement."