Vegas casino worker contracts close to expiring

LAS VEGAS (AP) - The possibility of 50,000 Las Vegas casino workers going on strike is drawing near with their existing contracts close to expiring and the prospects of new ones uncertain.

No date for a strike has been set, but workers have begun signing up for strike pay and picketing shifts.

Their contracts run out at midnight Thursday, and workers have voted to authorize a strike at any time starting Friday.

The bartenders, housekeepers, bellmen and other unionized workers of 34 casino-hotels on the Strip and downtown Las Vegas have been negotiating new five-year contracts since February.

But wages, workplace training and other issues have kept the Culinary Union and employers from reaching new agreements.

MGM Resorts International and Caesars Entertainment have said they are confident they'll be able to reach agreements with the union.