That was almost 700 points down the consumer price index. Northern Nevada wage scales today remain lower than 1949 union rates, adjusted for inflation. Las Vegas will almost always average higher than Reno today due to the much higher degree of union penetration in Southern Nevada. Maybe tips were lower in 1949. The Flamingo stonewalled negotiations with the Carpenters, but in 1999 agreed to recognize Culinary Local 86 to represent most of its non-gambling employees.
Negotiations are underway.
Today, Baring Blvd. snakes through a Sparks filled with union demonstrations as increasingly frustrated workers shout to high heaven for a fair piece of the pie. It was not always thus. In 1927, the Reno Chamber of Commerce published a commemorative book for the Nevada Transcontinental Highways Exposition held in Idlewild Park. For that event, the Golden State built the California Building which still stands today. All trades in Reno are on a union basis.