Workers Protest Project Safety in Vegas

Workers have walked off the job at a massive Las Vegas Strip casino construction site, calling for safety improvements following a sixth worker death since work began in 2006.

The majority of union workers on MGM Mirage Inc.’s multibillion dollar CityCenter project struck after talks broke down between the Nevada Building and Construction Trades Council, casino giant MGM Mirage and project general contractor Perini Building Co.

Council spokesman Steve Redlinger says the strike will continue until safety demands are met.

A 39-year-old crane maintenance worker died Saturday when authorities say he apparently became caught between the counterweight system and the track of the crane.

CityCenter is expected to open in 2009 with a 4,000-room hotel-casino, condominiums, boutique hotels and a retail, dining and entertainment complex.

Dubai World, the investment arm of the Persian Gulf state of Dubai, spent almost $5 billion to buy half ownership in CityCenter and acquire 9.4 percent of MGM Mirage.

Source: Las Vegas Review-Journal.