More than 1,300 unionized employees at Encore Boston Harbor could begin a strike at 7 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 4, if the Everett resort and casino does not reach a new labor agreement with two unions. The potential work stoppage would place the Massachusetts casino under added pressure heading into the Labor Day weekend.
Workers represented by UNITE HERE Local 26 and Teamsters Local 25 announced the deadline after their prior collective-bargaining agreements expired Aug. 31. The unions say negotiations have remained unresolved after months of talks with Encore owner Wynn Resorts.
The casino is known for its big payouts and jackpot winners. This is the casino that once paid out over $43 million in jackpots in one month.
Why Union Workers Could Strike at the Casino in Massachusetts
The strike, if it proceeds, would involve nearly 1,400 workers at Encore Boston Harbor, including:
- Housekeepers
- Cooks
- Servers
- Bartenders
- Slot attendants
- Reservationists
- Warehouse employees
- Drivers
- Other resort workers
A picket line is scheduled to begin outside the Everett property at 7 a.m. Friday if the two sides do not settle.
Union members approved a strike authorization in August, giving labor leaders the ability to call a walkout after the contracts expired. Teamsters Local 25 said 97% of its members backed the authorization. The union represents 211 workers in areas including warehouse, horticulture, floral, call-center, transportation, valet and guest-services operations.
A strike authorization does not guarantee a strike will occur. However, the newly announced deadline gives the bargaining process a much sharper timeline.
What Encore Boston Harbor Employees Want in a New Contract
The unions are asking for wage increases, job protections and continued health-care and pension benefits.
Earlier reports said the workers sought raises of approximately $10 per hour for non-tipped staff and $5 per hour for tipped staff, with the goal of closing the gap with unionized hotel workers in Greater Boston.
More recent reporting described a proposal seeking $10 per hour in increases over four years, a $25-per-hour starting base wage for all members, and guarantees that current health-care and pension benefits remain in place. The differences in reported timelines and terms may reflect the ongoing nature of negotiations, so the final union proposal could change before a contract is signed.
Dispute is About More Than Money
For workers, the dispute is about more than hourly pay.
UNITE HERE Local 26 member Kathy Woodard said the contract fight involves job security, health-care funding and pension benefits, along with wages that are competitive with Boston hotel employment.
Teamsters leaders have also argued that workers deserve to share more directly in the success of the property. The Teamsters cited $847 million in Boston revenue last year, based on Wynn Resorts filings, while saying employees are struggling to keep up with the cost of living.
Wynn Resorts Responds to Union Contract Demands
Wynn Resorts has said it wants to reach a fair agreement, but the company maintains that any deal must be rooted in what it calls financial reality. The operator said wages and benefits for UNITE HERE and Teamsters employees at Encore Boston Harbor rose 36.8% during the past four years, compared with 1.9% revenue growth and an 8.5% increase in Boston consumer prices over that period.
The company also pointed to changing competition in the regional gambling market, including casinos in neighboring states and online sports betting. Wynn said its focus is on “long-term job protection and economic stability,” arguing that short-term proposals that do not account for current market conditions could put jobs at risk.
According to Wynn, the average UNITE HERE and Teamsters employee at the property receives $95,718 in combined pay and benefits under the current contracts. The company said that figure exceeds its cited average of $80,639 for comparable Greater Boston positions.
Wynn also said the resort has paid more than $1.3 billion in wages and benefits since Encore Boston Harbor opened in June 2019, and that the property has created more than 3,300 jobs.
What Happens Next Before Friday’s Deadline
Encore Boston Harbor is the largest casino in Massachusetts and a major hospitality employer in the Greater Boston area. A strike could affect many things, including:
- Hotel operations
- Food and beverage service
- Transportation
- Guest services
It would also disrupt parts of the gaming floor experience during a high-traffic holiday weekend.
The casino has remained open while negotiations continue, and there is still time for Wynn and the unions to reach a tentative agreement before Friday morning. A similar strike authorization at the property in 2023 did not result in a walkout after the sides reached a deal before the deadline.
For guests planning to visit Encore Boston Harbor this weekend, the situation remains fluid. Travelers and casino customers should monitor official resort communications and local news for updates as the Sept. 4 deadline approaches.
