Encore Boston Harbor Faces Potential Labor Action as Unions Schedule Strike Authorization Vote
Written by Rafael Koch · Aug 19, 2026
Encore Boston Harbor Faces Potential Labor Action as Unions Schedule Strike Authorization Vote
Union Members Prepare for Contract Negotiations
Workers at Encore Boston Harbor casino in Everett, Massachusetts have scheduled a vote on strike authorization for August 19 and 20, 2026 with 1,350 members from Unite Here Local 26 and Teamsters Local 25 participating in the process, and the vote will determine whether a strike can begin on September 1 if current contracts expiring August 31 are not renewed with higher wages above the existing $25 per hour minimum along with improved pension benefits, while the unions point to the property's financial results as context for their requests during negotiations.
The contracts cover a range of positions at the resort including dealers, servers, housekeepers and other hospitality roles, and representatives from both unions have stated that the upcoming vote serves as a procedural step to strengthen their position at the bargaining table, whereas management at Wynn Resorts has not issued a public response regarding the specific demands at this stage of discussions.
Financial Performance Provides Backdrop for Discussions
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 compared with the previous year according to company disclosures, and these numbers have been referenced by union representatives when outlining priorities for the new agreements, while the property continues to operate as one of the major gaming destinations in the greater Boston area since its opening in 2019.
Observers note that the revenue and earnings figures reflect ongoing operations at the waterfront facility, which includes gaming floors, hotel rooms, restaurants and event spaces, and data from the Massachusetts Gaming Commission shows consistent visitor traffic to the site throughout recent years even as regional competition from other casinos has increased in surrounding states.
Timeline Leading to September Deadline
The strike authorization vote scheduled for August 19 and 20, 2026 will occur roughly two weeks before the existing contracts reach their expiration on August 31, and if approved the unions could initiate a work stoppage beginning September 1 should talks fail to produce updated terms on wages and retirement benefits, while both sides continue to meet in bargaining sessions ahead of these dates.
Union leadership has indicated that the current $25 per hour minimum wage represents a baseline that members seek to raise in the next contract cycle, and they have also emphasized pension improvements as a key issue for long-term employees, whereas the company has not released details on its counterproposals at the time of the vote announcement.
Regional Context for Casino Labor Relations
Massachusetts gaming properties operate under oversight from the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, which tracks employment and revenue data across licensed facilities, and the commission's reports place Encore Boston Harbor among the top revenue generators in the state alongside other operators in the region, while labor agreements at similar properties have historically included provisions for wage adjustments tied to performance metrics and cost of living factors.
Those who have followed gaming industry labor patterns note that contract expirations often prompt structured voting processes like the one planned for mid-August, and the involvement of two separate locals reflects the diverse workforce categories represented at the resort, whereas negotiations at other Massachusetts casinos have sometimes extended past expiration dates without immediate disruptions.
Conclusion
The upcoming August 19-20, 2026 strike authorization vote at Encore Boston Harbor centers on contract renewal terms for wages and pensions, with financial results from 2025 serving as one reference point cited by union representatives during the process, and the outcome of the vote along with any subsequent bargaining developments will determine whether operations proceed uninterrupted after August 31 or face a potential work stoppage starting September 1, while all parties remain engaged in discussions ahead of these milestones.