Security officers at the Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem made history last month, becoming the first to ratify a union contract under billionaire casino owner Sheldon Adelson.
The officers are the only union members at Las Vegas Sands, which has more than 50,000 employees worldwide. Attempts to unionize began in 2011, but the measure faced resistance from the parent corporation.
The 146-members approved a three-year deal that includes an 8 percent pay wage and a say in work rules. In return, each guard will pay monthly dues amounting to about two hours of wages.
The Sands expects this outcome to be the exception, rather than the rule, going forward. The company credits a competitive compensation package to its success in staving off similar efforts to unionize.
Similar efforts have been spotty at best. Earlier this year, Circus Circus employees rejected union representation, but in December, an effort to unionize 260 security guards at Mandalay Bay was approved. And just last week, guards at the Excalibur soundly turned back efforts to unionize.