Encore Boston Harbor Union Members Gear Up for Strike Authorization Vote Over Contract Renewal
Written by Quinn Neumann · Aug 19, 2026
Encore Boston Harbor Union Members Gear Up for Strike Authorization Vote Over Contract Renewal
More than 1,300 unionized employees at Encore Boston Harbor stand ready to cast ballots on authorizing a strike beginning September 1 unless Wynn Resorts reaches terms on a fresh collective bargaining agreement, and the current pact covers wages alongside benefits while rising costs continue to pressure household finances across the region. Unite Here Local 26 together with Teamsters Local 25 represent these workers, and the vote comes as contract talks have yet to produce an updated deal that addresses those core concerns.
The casino property sits in Everett, Massachusetts, and operations there could encounter interruptions once the existing agreement reaches its deadline, according to information released by the unions. Workers handle roles ranging from hospitality and food service to transportation and maintenance, and any work stoppage would affect multiple departments simultaneously.
Timeline and Key Details Surrounding the Vote
Ballots are scheduled for the coming weeks, and union leadership has framed the action as a direct response to stalled negotiations that have left wage increases and benefit adjustments unresolved. The deadline of September 1 marks the point at which the present contract expires, creating a clear window for potential job actions if progress remains absent. Casino management has not issued a public counter-statement at this stage, while the two locals continue to coordinate messaging ahead of the authorization process.
Representatives from Unite Here Local 26 and Teamsters Local 25 have emphasized that members seek adjustments reflecting inflation-driven increases in living expenses, and data from state labor reports show hospitality wages in Massachusetts have lagged behind those same cost metrics in recent years. The combined workforce exceeds 1,300 individuals, and their roles support daily guest services that keep the property running at full capacity.
Background on the Unions and the Property
Unite Here Local 26 organizes employees across New England gaming and hospitality venues, and Teamsters Local 25 focuses on drivers, warehouse staff, and related support positions at the same site. Both organizations have conducted similar authorization votes at other properties when talks reach similar impasses, and the pattern shows members typically approve such measures by wide margins before any actual walkout occurs. Encore Boston Harbor opened in 2018 under Wynn Resorts ownership, and it operates as one of three major casinos licensed in the Commonwealth.
The current contract covers a range of provisions including health coverage, retirement contributions, and shift differentials, yet negotiators on the union side report that management proposals have not kept pace with regional cost trends. Observers note that similar disputes at other Massachusetts gaming facilities have resolved through extended mediation sessions rather than full strikes, though the possibility remains open here until a deal is signed.
Potential Effects on Casino Operations
Should the vote pass and a strike begin on September 1, management would need to decide whether to continue limited services with replacement staff or pause certain functions until an agreement is reached. The property draws visitors from Boston and surrounding communities, and service disruptions could shift guest traffic toward competing venues in the short term. State gaming regulators maintain oversight of the facility, and any labor action falls under standard notification rules that require advance communication to the Massachusetts Gaming Commission.
Union statements indicate the authorization vote serves as leverage to restart productive bargaining, and past cases at other regional casinos demonstrate that such votes often prompt renewed talks without immediate work stoppages. Rising costs cited by the locals include housing, transportation, and healthcare premiums, and figures released by the Massachusetts Department of Labor show average wage growth in leisure and hospitality trailing broader inflation measures through the first half of the year.
Next Steps in the Negotiation Process
Both sides are expected to continue meeting through the remainder of August, and federal mediators remain available if either party requests assistance. The unions have scheduled informational sessions for members to review contract proposals side by side with cost-of-living data before ballots are cast. Wynn Resorts has maintained steady employment levels at the property since opening, and the company continues to operate additional resorts in other jurisdictions where separate labor agreements exist.
Should authorization pass, the earliest possible disruption aligns with the September 1 contract expiration, yet many labor disputes of this scale conclude with ratified agreements before that line is crossed. The 1,300-plus workers represent a substantial portion of the property's total staff, and their coordinated action underscores the central role unions play in shaping compensation structures at Massachusetts casinos.
Conclusion
The upcoming strike authorization vote at Encore Boston Harbor centers on securing updated terms for wages and benefits before the September 1 deadline, and the outcome of those ballots will determine whether further negotiations or job actions follow. Unite Here Local 26 and Teamsters Local 25 have presented a united front on the core issues, while the company retains the option to respond through continued dialogue. Observers will watch the process closely as the contract clock runs down, and any resolution will set precedents for future labor talks at gaming properties across the state.