The unions representing hospitality workers in Las Vegas on Monday said thousands of workers will picket MGM Resorts and Caesars Entertainment casinos on the Las Vegas strip.

The unions in Las Vegas are considered among the most powerful in the industry, and are pressing for better wages after many workers lost their jobs during the pandemic.

Las Vegas's economy relies on tourism, and as of August 2023 visitation levels were 7% lower than the same period in 2019 before the pandemic.

However, room rates are more than 30% higher than that 2019 period, and the city is gearing up for major events including the Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix which is expected to bring more than 100,000 tourists to the city.

The Culinary and Bartenders unions are demanding higher wages, stronger protections against new technology that may threaten jobs, a reduction in steep housekeeping quotas and improved safety.

Members of culinary and bartenders unions will picket on the strip in front of eight MGM Resorts and Caesars casinos.

The unions met last week with MGM, Caesars and Wynn - the three largest private employers - in Las Vegas after 95% of its members voted at the end of September to authorize a citywide strike.

(Reporting by Shivansh Tiwary in Bengaluru; Editing by Maju Samuel)