LAS VEGAS-- Members of the Culinary and Bartenders Union have reached a tentative agreement for a new 5-year contract with the Riviera Casino.

The agreement, reached late Friday evening, will cover hundreds of workers in food and beverage, housekeeping, cocktails and the bell departments.

The negotiating committee, which is made up of workers from varied departments, worked with the company to reach terms that safeguard benefits and will help bring jobs back.

Negotiations began last summer following the previous contract's expiration on June 1, 2013. The agreement was reached on March 7, 2014.

The economic package, agreed to by both parties, mirrors exactly what has been agreed to by the unions and other employers. Workers will keep their high-quality health insurance. 

LAS VEGAS -- The Culinary and Bartenders Unions have reached a tentative deal with the Tropicana Hotel and Casino.

The new five-year contract covers about 650 workers in food and beverage, housekeeping, cocktails and bell departments.

The union voted in February to end contract extensions with 17 hotels, including the Tropicana, which had not finalized a new contract. The decision paved the way for a vote on striking against the hotels.

Union contracts expired in June 2013. Two of the largest resort groups, MGM Resorts International and Caesars Entertainment, agreed to new contracts late last year.

The agreement covers worker safety and health insurance.

LAS VEGAS -- NASCAR's annual haulers parade kicks off Wednesday night on the Strip in what is expected to be an exciting race week at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

The parade, which is set to begin at 6 p.m., will start from the south end of the Strip on Las Vegas Boulevard near South Point. The large semi-trucks, which hold the cars competing for Sunday's Sprint Cup race, then will travel northbound on the Strip to Sahara Avenue before entering Interstate 15 toward the speedway.

The parade has crowded the Strip in past years and commuters need to be aware of restricted east-west traffic at the intersection from Russell Road to Sahara Avenue. Among other intersections expected to be affected are Reno Avenue, Tropicana Avenue, Harmon Boulevard, Flamingo Road and Spring Mountain Boulevard.

The parade begins a busy week of NASCAR activities.