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State of Play’s TL;DR
- About 1,300 union workers at Encore Boston Harbor have gone on strike.
- At contention are wages, benefits. and automation protections.
About 1,300 union workers at Encore Boston Harbor have gone on strike after contract talks with Wynn Resorts failed.
The dispute centers on wages, medical benefits, and protections against automation-related job losses, while the casino says operations are continuing.
The walkout began after the workers’ contract expired Aug. 31 and follows an earlier strike authorization vote backed by 93% of represented employees.
More than 1,000 workers join walkout
UNITE HERE Local 26 and Teamsters Local 25 said roughly 1,300 workers hit the picket lines at Encore Boston Harbor after negotiations failed to produce a new labor agreement.
The unions represent housekeepers, cooks, servers, bartenders, slot attendants, drivers, and other workers at the Everett, MA, resort.
The strike was organized to begin on Labor Day. Workers are seeking higher wages, continued medical benefits, and protections against future job losses.
Keenan Green, a cook at the property, told Card Player:
“We’ve got hotels that are downtown that don’t make half as much money as Encore that are getting better wages than us. We just want to get to the standard of where they’re at.”
The unions have also raised concerns about automation at the casino and the possibility that some roles could eventually be replaced by machines.
Wynn says resort remains open during the labor dispute
Encore Boston Harbor said the property remains open, with management and non-union staff continuing to run the resort during the strike.
Company representatives said:
“We are committed to finding common ground that is fair, financially sustainable and protects jobs for the long term.”
The casino also said wages and benefits for workers represented by the two unions have increased 36.8% over the past four years, while company revenue rose 1.9% over the same period. According to management, the average worker represented by the unions earns $95,000 annually in wages and benefits.
What the dispute signals for the casino industry
Encore workers had also approved a strike in 2023 before the unions and company ultimately reached a deal. The latest walkout comes amid broader labor pressure across the casino sector.
Caesars Entertainment, MGM Resorts, and Wynn Resorts all avoided a strike in Las Vegas in November 2023 by reaching five-year labor deals. Trump Hotel and Westgate Casino also later avoided a strike after similar union pressure.
It remains unclear whether negotiations resumed after the strike began or when a new agreement might be reached.
Based on reporting by Sean Chaffin for Card Player.
