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Union workers at Encore Boston have agreed on a new contract with Wynn Resorts. As a result, the strike scheduled for Friday has been avoided.
On Wednesday, members of UNITE HERE Local 26 and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 25 reached a tentative deal with the Massachusetts casino operator.
Encore Boston union workers avoid strike
According to Local 26 President Carlos Aramayo, the new union contract “meets and even exceeds ” the hospitality industry’s union standard.
Speaking with WFXT Boston 25, Aramayo said the deal achieves all of the union goals for a five-star contract, including five-star wages, excellent benefits, and job security.
In a statement, Aramyao said:
“We congratulate Encore Boston Harbor for showing leadership in the hospitality industry and bargaining a contract that guarantees workers at the resort will have excellent wages and benefits. We are glad that a strike will be avoided and that a spirit of partnership has prevailed. Our members are excited to continue providing five-star service to the resort’s guests with a five-star contract.”
Contract details to be released soon
The new contract is still subject to ratification by union members, possibly as soon as Friday. Additional terms of the deal are expected to be released in due time.
Efforts to negotiate a new union contract began on March 9 after Encore Boston announced expansion plans to its casino. Following the announcement, local unions express discomfort working on the new project with a new contract.
Last week, roughly 98% of the 1,400 workers voted in favor of the strike. In addition, delivery drivers who are members of Teamsters Local 25 also pledged to refrain from crossing picket lines and opted not to deliver licensed liquor, food and other essential items to the casino.
Had the strike occurred, it would have impacted an array of workers at the casino, including:
- room attendants
- cocktail servers
- bar porters
- cooks
- dishwashers
- public area cleaners
- drivers
