Another step toward a hotel strike was taken in Las Vegas today, with thousands of hotel workers in Las Vegas signing up for strike benefits.

A strike would affect thousands of travelers planning a trip, and also former Hawaii residents who work in the visitor industry there.

About 10,000 food, beverage and housekeeping workers are awaiting a new contract. They've already authorized a strike if negotiations don't pan out.

"The feeling out here is, people are scared,” said former Hawaii resident Kevin Purvis, who now works at the Fremont. “They're worried about their jobs. They're worried about how we'd make ends meet if we had to go on a strike."

That's where this sign-up comes in -- an $80 million strike fund to pay benefits at least during any walkout.

About 50,000 other workers have already agreed on contracts, covering most hotels on the strip. But several downtown hotels are in limbo. The hotels affected include:

· Binion’s

· El Cortez

· Fitzgerald’s

· Four Queens

· Fremont

· Golden Gate

· Golden Nugget

· Jerry’s Nugget

· Las Vegas Club

· Las Vegas Hilton

· Main Street

· Plaza

· Tropicana

· Western

"If I had a reservation at a hotel that had a strike at it, I would go ahead with my plans and cross the picket lines,” said Judy Perry, leaving Honolulu today for a business trip to Las Vegas. “I paid my money already."

Vegas hotel workers, especially those with Hawaii ties, hope that won't always be the case.

"Hawaii's got a pretty strong union as well out there, and I believe the local people back home -- I don't think they'd cross our picket line,” Purvis said. “I think if they knew what was going on, they'd make arrangements to do something else."

The union wants better wages, especially at the downtown hotels that tend to pay less than the glitzier strip.

"It's tough because they don't pay us what we deserve,” Purvis said. “So you have to make your ends meet as best as you can."

The cost of living is rising in Las Vegas, but Hawaii ex-pats say it's still a little better over there.

"In Hawaii I was 2 paychecks from living on the beach, you know what I mean?” Purvis said. “At least here I'm able to put something in my savings account."

The union would still have to give a 7-day notice before striking. Negotiations resume Wednesday.