Transcript of interview with Leain Vashon by Claytee D. White, July 29, 2014

Leain Vashon educated his three children, taken care of any family medical challenge, purchased property, and lived the American Dream because of the Culinary Workers Union Local 226. As a dedicated union man, he has volunteered as shop steward, committee member, organizer, volunteer organizer, and Vice President, an elected position. His children have walked picket lines since five and six years of age. They know the value of their father’s job and his activism in the labor movement. They know that they can be anything they desire. Vashon sees the future as: “The pension that we're going to have is going to be the best pension in the United States. The livable wage we have is going to be some of the highest. The healthcare that we have is going to be one of the best. We are going to insist on those things. We are not going to go backwards. We're not going to go anywhere. The jobs that we do inside the hotel are going to continue to carry dignity. We are going to continue to be the best workers and we are going to give the corporations and the hotels the best that we have to offer. We're going to be great workers. And by having great workers, you are going to have guests who are satisfied because that's the link, how satisfied your worker is and how satisfied your guest is. If every CEO up and down the Strip knew that our fights would be minimal. You take care of the worker; they'll take care of your guest, …and you're going to have the best thing that you can have, which is return guests.”