Encore Boston Harbor Casino Workers Launch Strike Over Failed Contract Talks
Written by Finley Reed · Sep 7, 2026
Encore Boston Harbor Casino Workers Launch Strike Over Failed Contract Talks
More than 1,300 employees at Encore Boston Harbor in Everett, Massachusetts walked off the job on September 4, 2026 after contract negotiations between Wynn Resorts and two major unions reached an impasse, and the action has continued through the Labor Day weekend with organized picketing at the property. The unions involved are UNITE HERE Local 26 along with Teamsters Local 25, and they have outlined demands that include a $10 per hour wage increase spread across three years for non-tipped positions, improved benefit packages, enhanced job security measures, and additional workplace protections while the casino itself has stayed open and operational throughout the dispute.
Background on the Labor Action
Contract talks broke down ahead of the September 4 deadline, prompting the coordinated walkout that observers note marks a significant escalation in ongoing labor discussions at the Wynn Resorts property, and reports from teh scene indicate that picketers have maintained a visible presence along key access points even as the holiday weekend approached. The strike has drawn attention because Encore Boston Harbor represents one of the larger gaming and hospitality employers in the greater Boston area, with the workforce including hotel staff, food service workers, dealers, and other support roles covered by the two locals.
Union Positions and Specific Demands
UNITE HERE Local 26 and Teamsters Local 25 have presented a unified set of priorities that center on compensation adjustments scaled to address rising living costs in the region, alongside calls for stronger retirement and health coverage terms that would apply across tipped and non-tipped classifications. Data from the negotiations shows the proposed $10 hourly raise for non-tipped workers would phase in over the life of a new three-year agreement, while additional provisions seek to limit subcontracting and provide clearer pathways for resolving workplace grievances. Those who have followed similar disputes note that job security language often becomes a flashpoint when operators consider automation or staffing changes, and the current action reflects that pattern without any immediate resolution in sight.
Picketing has continued daily since the strike began, with union members rotating shifts to maintain coverage outside the facility while encouraging passersby and guests to recognize the labor action, and the effort has extended into the Labor Day period when visitor traffic at the property typically increases. Organizers have emphasized that the walkout remains peaceful and focused on the economic issues at stake rather than broader political matters.
Operational Status of the Casino
Despite the absence of striking employees, Encore Boston Harbor has continued to function with management personnel and temporary staffing arrangements filling critical roles, allowing gaming floors, hotel operations, and dining outlets to remain accessible to the public. Wynn Resorts has not released detailed statements on contingency plans, yet the property has sustained normal hours and service levels according to multiple updates issued during teh first week of the strike. Revenue figures tied to the Boston location reached approximately $847 million in 2025 according to Wynn Resorts financial filings, underscoring the scale of the operation even as labor tensions persist into the following year.
Context of Negotiations and Regional Labor Climate
Earlier bargaining sessions had covered topics ranging from wage scales adjusted for inflation to expanded training opportunities and scheduling predictability, yet the parties could not bridge gaps on the core economic proposals by the contract expiration date. The strike at Encore Boston Harbor fits within a broader pattern of hospitality and gaming workers seeking improved terms across Massachusetts properties, where similar unions have secured gains in previous rounds at other facilities. Those involved in the current effort have pointed to comparable agreements reached elsewhere as benchmarks for what they consider fair compensation in a high-cost state, and the ongoing pickets serve as a visible reminder that talks have not yet resumed at a productive level.
The action carries into the Labor Day weekend without announced plans for immediate federal mediation, though both sides have indicated willingness to return to the table once positions are clarified. Casino management has maintained that guest safety and operational continuity remain top priorities while the dispute plays out, and no reports of service disruptions beyond routine staffing adjustments have surfaced in the initial days.
Conclusion
The strike involving more than 1,300 workers at Encore Boston Harbor continues without a settlement as of the Labor Day weekend, with union demands focused on wages, benefits, and security provisions that have not been met in the most recent contract cycle. The casino remains open under Wynn Resorts oversight, and the two locals have sustained picketing activity to press their case. Future developments hinge on whether renewed negotiations can address the outstanding issues before the action extends further into September 2026.