Encore Boston Harbor Union Workers Prepare for Contract Vote and Potential Strike Action

Workers represented by Unite Here Local 26 and Teamsters Local 25 have scheduled a vote for August 19 and 20 on whether to authorize a strike at Wynn Resorts’ Encore Boston Harbor casino in Everett, Massachusetts, with the action set to begin September 1 if new contracts are not in place.

The current agreements covering 1,350 union members expire on August 31, and the unions have stated they seek wage increases above the existing $25 per hour minimum along with enhanced pension contributions during the upcoming negotiations.

Timeline and Voting Process

The vote takes place over two days in mid-August while the property continues normal operations, and union leadership has indicated that a majority approval would give negotiators the option to call a work stoppage starting the first day of September should talks stall before the deadline; this sequence allows members to signal their position well ahead of the contract expiration date.

Representatives from both locals have coordinated their efforts, and the combined membership represents a significant portion of the casino’s workforce including dealers, servers, housekeepers, and security personnel whose roles directly affect daily operations at the Everett waterfront facility.

Financial Performance and Contract Demands

Encore Boston Harbor reported nearly $847 million in total revenue for 2025 along with $236.7 million in adjusted EBITDA, a figure that declined 4.2 percent from the prior year yet still reflects substantial earnings that union officials have cited when presenting their wage and benefit proposals; the property’s results appear in public filings and industry summaries that track regional gaming performance.

Union statements emphasize that the requested improvements in minimum pay and retirement funding align with the property’s ongoing revenue generation, while management has not released specific counteroffers at this stage of the process.

Observers note that similar contract cycles at other regional properties have featured extended bargaining periods followed by either settlements or brief work actions, and the current situation follows that established pattern without yet indicating an outcome.

Broader Context for Massachusetts Gaming Labor

The Massachusetts gaming sector operates under oversight from state regulators who monitor employment conditions and revenue reporting, and the Encore Boston Harbor negotiations occur within that framework; data from industry associations such as the American Gaming Association show consistent employment levels at Northeast casinos even as individual properties adjust compensation structures during periodic contract renewals.

Those who have tracked past negotiations at Massachusetts facilities point out that pension enhancements often become central issues when contracts cover large numbers of long-tenured employees, and the current demands from Unite Here and Teamsters locals follow that recurring theme.

Next Steps in Negotiations

Following the August vote, union and company representatives are expected to continue discussions through the final weeks of the existing contracts, with both sides retaining the ability to reach agreement before September 1; should the authorization pass and talks remain unresolved, the unions would then determine whether to implement the strike on the scheduled date.

Company officials have not commented publicly on the pending vote, and the property continues to publish standard operating information while the labor process unfolds according to established timelines.

Conclusion

The August 19-20 vote at Encore Boston Harbor will clarify whether the 1,350 union members support strike authorization, and any subsequent developments will depend on the outcome of ongoing contract talks between the locals and Wynn Resorts management before the August 31 expiration; the financial figures for 2025 provide the backdrop against which wage and pension proposals are being measured, and the situation remains fluid as the deadlines approach.