Fontainebleau now unionized

Question

From Eater Vegas today.

Fontainebleau joined as the last fully unionized hotel so that all hotels on the Strip are now unionized for the first time in 90 years.

I hope this doesn’t mean that we now get the same service at Fontainebleau as we’ve been getting at MGM. Last time during our stay at Park they made just one side of the bed (not kidding)! Also never emptied the bin. In these lower tier hotels I will simply reject housekeeping from now on.

Let’s see what happens with this.

Answer

It’s significant that Fontainebleau has become the last hotel on the Las Vegas Strip to unionize, marking a historic shift as all Strip hotels are now unionized for the first time in 90 years. This could bring changes to service standards, both in terms of quality and how employees interact with guests. As you mentioned, service can be inconsistent at times, especially in hotels that operate at a lower tier or have been experiencing staffing shortages. The frustration you mentioned, such as poor housekeeping like only making one side of the bed and not emptying the trash, certainly doesn't reflect the experience many guests expect when paying for a stay at these properties.

With the unionization of Fontainebleau, there are a few potential outcomes to consider:

Improved service: Unionizing could potentially improve the quality of service, as it often leads to better working conditions, better wages, and greater accountability for hotel staff. It’s possible that Fontainebleau’s new union status might create incentives for better housekeeping and guest services overall, similar to how other unionized hotels operate.
Staff retention: Unionized environments can result in lower turnover rates, which often leads to more experienced and satisfied employees who are invested in providing quality service. If the hotel is able to retain skilled staff, the level of service may improve.
Potential for changes in housekeeping practices: With the union in place, it’s possible that housekeeping departments will be held to stricter standards and better training on guest expectations. However, unionization alone may not fix all service-related issues if other factors like budget constraints and management policies are involved.

As you pointed out, some guests have had unpleasant experiences with the service at lower-tier hotels, including inconsistent housekeeping and lack of attention to detail. If Fontainebleau takes cues from other unionized hotels, we may see a shift towards more reliable service, but it’s unclear how quickly these changes will take effect.

For now, if you find yourself in a situation where the service doesn’t meet your expectations, you may want to consider communicating directly with the hotel management to ensure your needs are met. Declining housekeeping is certainly an option if you’re concerned about the quality of service, but it may be worth giving the newly unionized Fontainebleau a chance to make improvements over time.

Fontainebleau now unionized

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