The strike at Encore Boston Harbor is now into its second week. Roughly 1,300 union workers are still off the job at the Everett, Massachusetts casino and resort.
Members of UNITE HERE Local 26 and Teamsters Local 25 began striking at 7 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 4, after their labor contracts expired on Aug. 31 without a new agreement. The workers are seeking higher pay, continued benefits, and stronger job protections at the Wynn Resorts-owned property.
Video on the UNITE HERE X account shows striking workers picketing in the rain over the weekend.
Encore Boston Harbor has remained open during the strike. The company says it is operating with management and non-union employees while negotiations continue.
Why Encore Boston Harbor Workers Went on Strike
The labor dispute had been brewing for weeks.
It follows months of contract negotiations between Encore Boston Harbor, UNITE HERE Local 26, and Teamsters Local 25. Union representatives said bargaining began around April.
On Aug. 20, workers overwhelmingly approved a strike authorization vote. Multiple reports put support for the walkout at 97%, giving union leaders the authority to call a strike if a deal was not reached.
The striking group includes workers across:
- Hotel
- Food-and-Beverage
- Gaming
- Transportation
- Support Operations
Reported job titles include housekeepers, cooks, bartenders, casino cage cashiers, slot attendants, call-center workers, drivers, valet attendants, groundskeepers, warehouse employees, and guest-experience staff.
Picketing workers are outside the resort. UNITE HERE Local 26 has also urged customers not to book hotel rooms, gamble, dine, or otherwise cross the picket line while the work stoppage remains active.
What Workers Want From Encore Boston Harbor
The unions say the central issue is compensation. Workers want pay increases that they believe would bring Encore Boston Harbor jobs more in line with compensation at other unionized hotels in the Boston area.
Reported union demands include:
- A $10-per-hour increase over three years for non-tipped workers.
- A $5-per-hour increase over three years for tipped workers.
- Preservation of health care and pension benefits.
- Job-security protections, including guaranteed staffing and work-hour provisions.
- Protections against job losses or reduced hours tied to automation and operational changes.
Some reports describe a similar wage proposal structured over four years, including a push for a $25-per-hour minimum starting wage for union positions.
The precise proposal may vary by job classification and by the reporting date, but the broader issue remains the same: workers want a contract that raises wages and preserves workplace protections.
Union leaders have argued that Encore Boston Harbor is a profitable property and that employees should share more directly in that success. They have also said that rising living costs, health insurance expenses, and concerns about staffing have made a stronger contract necessary.
Wynn Resorts Says Encore Boston Harbor Is Still Open
Wynn Resorts has said Encore Boston Harbor remains open and able to serve guests during the strike.
Company representatives stated that they want to reach an agreement that is “fair, financially sustainable and protects jobs for the long term.” Wynn has also pointed to the overall value of compensation and benefits for union workers, which the company says averages more than $95,000 annually.
From Wynn’s perspective, any agreement must balance employee pay and benefits with long-term business costs, competition, and the stability of Encore Boston Harbor jobs. The company has said the unions chose to strike despite its continued efforts to negotiate.
The unions dispute the company’s view of the negotiations. They say Encore’s wage offers have fallen well short of what workers are seeking and that key protections in the previous contract are at risk.
No Major Breakthrough Reported in Talks
There has been no reported settlement between Encore Boston Harbor and the two unions.
Early reports said no new bargaining sessions had been scheduled after the strike began. Later coverage continued to describe the dispute as unresolved, even as the casino and hotel remained in operation.
That leaves workers, management, guests, and the local Everett community watching for signs that the two sides may return to productive talks. A deal would likely need to address both of the dispute’s main themes: wages and benefits for workers, plus the company’s concerns about operating costs and long-term job stability.
For now, the Encore Boston Harbor strike remains one of the region’s most visible labor disputes, affecting more than 1,300 employees at Massachusetts’ largest casino resort.
What the Strike Means for Encore Boston Harbor Jobs
The ongoing strike does not mean Encore Boston Harbor has shut down. Wynn Resorts says the property is continuing to operate during the labor action. However, the dispute places attention on the future of union-backed Encore Boston Harbor jobs and the standards attached to those positions.
For current workers, the outcome could shape:
- Hourly wage rates and future increases.
- Health care and retirement benefits.
- Scheduling, staffing, and guaranteed-hour rules.
- Job protections as casino and hotel operations adopt new technology.
- The competitiveness of Encore Boston Harbor jobs compared with other Boston-area hospitality employers.
For job seekers, the situation is also a reminder that advertised openings and day-to-day operations can be affected by an active labor dispute. Applicants should review current job postings directly through official company channels and understand which positions may be represented by a union.
