Las Vegas resort surprises thousands of workers with $5,000 bonus
Many employees were pictured jumping and hugging each other as purple-coloured confetti rained down on the hall
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Employees at Las Vegas’s The Cosmopolitan casino erupted into celebration after chief executives announced a surprise $5,000 ($4,261) bonus for all 5,400 staff.
The announcement came on Wednesday during a daytime event celebrating workers at the casino and resort, which is soon due to change ownership.
The resort’s CEO Bill McBeath credited the casino’s workers with maintaining “a youthful, exuberant brand” in spite of Covid at the celebration event. He then announced a $5,000 bonus.
“It’s amazing!” said Edgar Rives, a cook for nine years in the employee cafeteria. “It’s a big surprise.”
Many employees were pictured jumping and hugging each other as purple-coloured confetti rained down on the hall. There was also a buffet.
“It’s you, every single day, that makes a difference,” said Daniel Espino, Cosmopolitan chief people officer. “Whether you clean the rooms, cook the food, are dealing cards, serving drinks, at the front desk.”
As The Nevada Independent reported following the event, the total cost of the bonuses was estimated to be $26m (£22m).
Executives from the outgoing operators, the Blackstone real estate group, were reportedly in attendance. The group recently sold the operations of The Cosmopolitan to MGM Resorts for $1.62bn (£1.384bn).
The investment management company will remain the land and proper owner of the resort however, The Nevada Independent reported.
The Cosmopolitan, which has 3,000 rooms and two-towers, sits between two other MGM-owed Strip properties: Bellagio and the multi-resort City Center complex.
Additional reporting by The Associated Press.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments