Washed up at 27: Life of a Las Vegas cocktail waitress. I found it interesting to read that properties bypass Culinary Union rules by subcontracting out to nightclub operators, whose arrangements with the union allow them to hire based on appearances. The Union doesn't have a problem with the arrangement:

Casino attorneys say the Culinary Union won't balk when older workers don't get the new, lucrative serving jobs. It's the sacrifice for bringing more tourists to town - and keeping the vast majority of the union's 60,000 members happily employed making beds and washing dishes. Culinary Union Secretary-Treasurer D. Taylor said the union has prevented casinos from firing older workers, who can work as servers as long as they are able. And the union has at least gotten management to allow servers to wear lower heels and offer maternity uniforms for pregnant servers.

So the next time you're served a highball at your favorite Las Vegas nightspot by a sexy little thing in a maternity thong, be sure to look for the union label.