'No Contracts, No Peace!': 2020 Democrats join picketing Culinary Union ahead of Nevada debate

Ed Komenda, Reno Gazette-Journal
·1 min read

LAS VEGAS – Hours before taking the debate stage on the Strip, top 2020 Democrats joined picketing union members outside the Palms Casino Resort.

Of the six candidates slated to debate Wednesday night, four marched in solidarity with labor workers to protest Stations Casinos: Former Vice President Joe Biden, former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg, Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar and Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren.

Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren pickets with Culinary Union workers outside The Palms in Las Vegas on Feb. 18, 2020.
Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren pickets with Culinary Union workers outside The Palms in Las Vegas on Feb. 18, 2020.

San Francisco-based hedge fund tycoon Tom Steyer, a popular candidate among some Nevada voters, also paid a visit to the picket line.

Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg did not attend the picket.

Culinary Union workers picket outside The Palms in Las Vegas on Feb. 18, 2020.
Culinary Union workers picket outside The Palms in Las Vegas on Feb. 18, 2020.

Workers at the Stations Casinos and the Palms have voted to unionize but they have yet to secure contracts and are working without them. Billionaires Frank and Lorenzo Fertitt own Stations and are strong supporters of President Donald Trump.

Together, candidates and red-shirted union workers chanted, "No justice, no peace!" and carried signs reading "No Contracts, No Peace!"

Former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg pickets with Culinary Union workers outside The Palms in Las Vegas on Feb. 18, 2020.
Former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg pickets with Culinary Union workers outside The Palms in Las Vegas on Feb. 18, 2020.

Contributing: Associated Press.

This article originally appeared on Reno Gazette-Journal: Nevada debate: 2020 Democrats join picketing Culinary Union