Nevada

This year, for Women's History Month, we're taking a look at a group of leaders who are currently active making women's history across the labor movement. Check back daily for a new profile and meet some of the people working to improve not only their community, but also to improve conditions for working people across the country. Today's profile is Susie Martinez of the Nevada AFL-CIO.

Members of Culinary Workers Union Local 226 and Bartenders Union Local 165, affiliates of UNITE HERE, voted by 95% on Tuesday to authorize a strike across the Las Vegas Strip. The negotiating committee is authorized to call for a strike at 22 casino resort properties operated by the three largest employers, MGM Resorts International, Caesars Entertainment and Wynn Resorts. The unions represent 60,000 hospitality workers in Nevada; 53,000 are based in Las Vegas and are in active negotiations with casino/hotel employers for a new five-year contract.

UNITE HERE's Culinary Union Local 226 and Bartenders Union Local 165 reached a new agreement with Palms Casino Resort on a first time three-year contract to protect workers with health care benefits, provide fair wages and job security, and to respect the seniority rights for more than 900 employees.

Addressing a growing crisis in the state of Nevada and beyond, UNITE HERE Culinary Union is calling for increased funding for youth mental health. The campaign will focus on direct voter contact to make sure Nevadans understand that sustainable investment in youth mental health is good public policy.