Casino restaurant dismissals spark labor dispute in Córdoba

At least ten employees working at the restaurant located within the Casino de Villa Carlos Paz, in Argentina’s Córdoba province, have reportedly been dismissed without cause, according to statements from union officials.

The affected workers, including waitstaff, kitchen staff and service personnel, were allegedly informed of their termination in recent days without prior disciplinary proceedings or formal justification. 

The restaurant operates inside the casino complex, one of the main gaming and entertainment venues in Villa Carlos Paz, a key tourist destination in the province.

Marcelo Luján, Secretary General of the Villa Carlos Paz chapter of the Union of Tourism, Hotel and Gastronomy Workers (UTHGRA), said the organization is seeking the reinstatement of the dismissed employees and formal review by labor authorities.

He stated: “We are demanding that the dismissals be reversed and that the labor rights of the affected workers be respected.” 

Union representatives have raised concerns about what they describe as increasing employment instability within the local hospitality sector, particularly in establishments tied to high-traffic entertainment venues such as casinos. 

They have formally requested intervention from provincial labor authorities to evaluate whether the dismissals comply with Argentine labor regulations.

The situation adds to a broader pattern of labor tensions in Argentina’s land-based casino sector. Since the beginning of the year, casino workers in Mar del Plata have been engaged in an ongoing union dispute involving work stoppages and protests tied to employment conditions and operational restructuring. 

While the Villa Carlos Paz case involves hospitality staff rather than gaming floor personnel, both developments reflect heightened union activity and labor scrutiny across casino-linked operations in key tourist markets.