In less than a week, the iconic Mirage Hotel & Casino, an emblematic gem in the heart of Sin City, will conduct its final roll of the dice. With July 17 marking its closing date, this legendary casino resort will cease operations to undergo a dramatic metamorphosis, set to reemerge as the vibrant Hard Rock Las Vegas.
Farewell to a Vegas Icon
July 17 will be etched in the annals of Las Vegas history as the day The Mirage bids adieu. To commemorate this momentous occasion, a heartfelt farewell ceremony will be held, commencing at 9 AM. This event promises to pull at the heartstrings, featuring poignant speeches from industry stalwarts including Hard Rock’s chairman and CEO of Seminole Gaming, Jim Allen, alongside The Mirage’s revered president, Joe Lupo, among other notable figures.
The closure marks not just the end of an era but the dawn of a new one. With a sea of excitement and a touch of nostalgia, attendees will gather to pay homage to the storied history of this illustrious landmark.
Union Support and Worker Transitions
Amidst this colossal shift, around 1,700 employees of The Mirage, represented by the Culinary and Bartenders unions, are bracing themselves for change. These unions have been the cornerstone, orchestrating job fairs, training campaigns, and providing invaluable support to ensure a seamless transition for the staff.
Ted Pappageorge, the Culinary Union’s secretary-treasurer, recently shared his sentiments with the Las Vegas Sun, encapsulating the collective emotions of the workforce. “Closures like this one at The Mirage are tough,” he admitted. “But, the efforts by Hard Rock to elevate the property are commendable, and we wholeheartedly back this transformation.”
“The beautiful thing is that this company (Hard Rock International) — it’s going to remodel and reopen, and it’s going to be bigger and better than before, and we 100% support that.“
Ted Pappageorge, secretary-treasurer at the Culinary Union
Employee Compensation Options: Bet on Your Future
As The Mirage readies itself to shutter, the stakes are high for its dedicated staff, many of whom have spent the entirety of their careers within its hallowed halls. The closure isn’t just a corporate maneuver; it’s a significant emotional juncture for the workforce.
Pappageorge expressed optimism about the economic landscape, noting, “The economy is back, and it’s strong,” with burgeoning business opportunities in Las Vegas and beyond. Amidst the influx of visitors to Sin City, workers are presented with a roulette wheel of new opportunities.
In this high-stakes transition, employees at The Mirage have two compensation plays:
- Lucrative Buyout Option: This option offers a $2,000 compensation for each year of service, plus six months of medical insurance and pension coverage. The catch? It’s a one-way ticket—these employees won’t be automatically rehired post-redevelopment.
- Stay and Play Option: A less generous payout, but with a golden promise. Choosing this path ensures a guaranteed reemployment once the Hard Rock Las Vegas emerges from its chrysalis.
This strategic decision is akin to choosing between a sure thing and taking a calculated risk for future rewards. As always, the house—this time, the workers’ own future—hangs in the balance.
As The Mirage prepares for its final curtain call, the air is thick with anticipation. While the doors may close, the spirit of Las Vegas endures, ready to roll the dice on a brighter, bolder chapter with Hard Rock Las Vegas.
