Casino Workers Rally Outside Sky River for Labor Deal

Protest marks latest escalation in union's yearslong organizing campaign at new tribal casino

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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Around 100 Sacramento-area casino workers and labor allies protested Tuesday evening at the entrance to Sky River Casino, the latest escalation in the hotel and casino workers' union's yearslong organizing campaign for the tribal casino that opened in 2022.

Why it matters

The protest highlights ongoing tensions between casino management and workers seeking union representation, a common issue in the gaming industry as companies aim to maintain control while workers push for better pay and benefits.

The details

Francisco Maldonado, a lead cook at Sky River, said there has been a sense of frustration among workers who feel they are making progress toward union representation, but the process has been very slow. Unite Here Local 49, the area chapter of the hotel and casino workers' union, has argued that under a 2017 agreement, the casino must recognize the union as its workers' representative.

  • The protest took place on Tuesday evening, February 18, 2026.
  • Sky River Casino opened in 2022.

The players

Francisco Maldonado

A lead cook at Sky River Casino who expressed frustration over the slow progress of union representation efforts.

Unite Here Local 49

The area chapter of the hotel and casino workers' union that has been organizing the workers at Sky River Casino.

Sky River Casino

A tribal casino that opened in 2022 and is the focus of the union's organizing campaign.

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What they’re saying

“We want them to hear us.”

— Francisco Maldonado, Lead cook at Sky River Casino (cdcgaming.com)

The takeaway

This protest underscores the ongoing tensions between casino management and workers seeking union representation, a common issue in the gaming industry as companies aim to maintain control while workers push for better pay and benefits.