In a passionate address at the December 2024 Nevada Gaming Commission Meeting, Brianna Carbajal of the Culinary Union highlighted the ongoing struggles of workers at Station Casinos, emphasizing the significant strides made in unionization over the past few years. Carbajal detailed that over 53,100 workers across eight Station Casino properties successfully unionized, achieving victories in elections with an impressive average of 65% support.

Carbajal recounted specific victories, noting that Boulder Station saw 577 workers unionize with a 62% vote in favor in September 2016, while Green Valley Ranch followed with 833 workers voting 67% in November 2017. The Palms, Sunset Station, and Fiesta Rancho also experienced strong pro-union sentiments, with election victories ranging from 83% to 85%. These successes, she argued, marked a powerful pro-union movement in one of the largest gaming markets in the country.

However, Carbajal expressed deep concern over the actions of Station Casinos in 2020, when the company announced permanent mass layoffs, including the closure of four properties, without adequately notifying or bargaining with the union. She pointed out that on May 1, 2020, the union was treated as an afterthought, despite the legal obligation to engage with the workers' representatives prior to such significant decisions.

The disregard for the collective voice of the workers, Carbajal asserted, has had lasting consequences for gaming employees and their families. She urged the commission to question Station Casinos about its treatment of unionized employees and the implications of its actions during a critical time for workers.

As the meeting continued, the sentiments expressed by Carbajal resonated with many, underscoring the ongoing challenges faced by unionized workers in the gaming industry and the importance of maintaining a dialogue about their rights and representation. The future of labor relations in Nevada's gaming sector remains a pressing issue, with the Culinary Union advocating for the rights and recognition of its members.