Statement by Geoconda Argüello-Kline, Secretary-Treasurer for the Culinary Union regarding the mass shooting in Las Vegas:
Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families, tourists, first responders, and workers affected by last night’s horrific attack.
The Culinary Union represents 4,000 workers at Mandalay Bay and thousands more at McCarran Airport, restaurants, casinos, and hotels surrounding the area. Culinary Union staff spent the night and all morning phone-banking workers to make sure everyone was okay. Workers, in addition to guests, were on lock-down across the Las Vegas Strip until approximately 7:30am this morning.
For families looking to locate missing loved ones, please call 1-866-535-5654.
Culinary Union organizers are spending the day conducting an outreach program in employee dining rooms supporting workers today and sharing in the pain that our community is feeling. This will not paralyze our city – we will continue to work together with the resorts on ensuring workers are protected at work and safe.
The 143,000 Nevadans who have Culinary Health Fund benefits and are part of the Culinary Union family are encouraged to reach out to Harmony Healthcare – the 24/7 helpline phone number is: (702) 251-8000. Culinary Union members, to schedule an appointment for free mental health assistance, please call, 1-800-363-4874.
We urge you to please make an appointment to donate blood this week, check to see if there is a blood drive near you, and donate blood if you are able at the following places:
* Green Valley Donor Center: 601 Whitney Ranch Drive Building D, Suite 20 Henderson, NV 89014
* Northwest Donor Center: 4950 West Craig Road L as Vegas, NV 89130
* West Charleston Donor Center: 6930 West Charleston Boulevard Las Vegas, NV 89117
– There is a community vigil tonight: Monday, October 2, 2017 at 5pm at the Guardian Angel Cathedral (302 Cathedral Way, Las Vegas, NV 89109).
Nevada is our home and we will not live in fear.
Workers serve our country and our community everyday.
We stand united and together, today and always.
—
ABOUT THE CULINARY UNION:
Culinary Workers Union Local 226 and Bartenders Union Local 165, Nevada affiliates of UNITE HERE, represent over 57,000 workers in Las Vegas and Reno, including at most of the casino resorts on the Las Vegas Strip and in Downtown Las Vegas. UNITE HERE represents 270,000 workers in gaming, hotel, and food service industries in North America.
The Culinary Union, through the Culinary Health Fund, is one of the largest healthcare consumers in the state. The Culinary Health Fund is sponsored by the Union and Las Vegas-area employers. It provides health insurance coverage for over 143,000 Nevadans, the Culinary Union’s members and their dependents.
The Culinary Union is Nevada’s largest immigrant organization with over 57,000 members – a diverse membership that is approximately 55% women and 56% Latino. Members – who work as guest room attendants, bartenders, cocktail and food servers, porters, bellmen, cooks, and kitchen workers – come from 167 countries and speak over 40 different languages. The Culinary Union has been fighting for fair wages, job security, and good health benefits for working men and women in Nevada for over 82 years.
CulinaryUnion226.org / @Culinary226
(Photo credit – Travel Channel)
