Encore Boston Harbor Workers Strike Over Contract Talks

Encore Boston Harbor workers carried through their threat to strike this week following stalled contract talks with casino owners, Wynn.  

Over 1,300 casino workers had voted two weeks ago to strike over pay and benefits. Members of the Teamsters Local 25 and UNITE HERE Local 26 were among those stopping work on Friday.

So far, Wynn has refused to meet demands for better conditions.

Workers: ‘We’re Not Asking for Anything Unreasonable’

As reported in the Boston Herald, the vote was unanimous, but “nobody” wanted to strike, according to a casino warehouse worker.

“But nobody is going to keep making Wynn rich while our own families fall behind.”

Fighting the big fight are the Teamsters, who told the Boston Herald they had a $365 million war chest to help the battle.

The workers’ contract expired August 31, after which they decided to take to the sidewalk after the Teamsters’ Thomas G. Mari said that Boston was “a union town. Teamsters don’t cross picket lines.”

Encore Boston Harbor Workers vs. Wynn: Key Flashpoints

• Encore’s union workforce seeking a better contract
• Increased wages and better benefits sought
• Enhanced job protection
• Workers voted August 20 to authorize a strike
• Encore management refusing to play ball, union says

Encore Boston Harbor Defends ‘36.8% Wage Growth’

The Encore workers were seeking a $10-per-hour wage increase over the next four years, and increased starting pay of $25 per hour. However, Encore officials failed to agree to the demands by the end of contract deadline.

Casino bosses argued that wage and benefits at Encore Boston Harbor had gone up 36.8%, far higher than inflation in the area.

Workers will look to Nevada and Atlantic City to give them encouragement, however.

Encore Boston Harbor Records Drop

Wynn posted quarterly reports recently, including figures for Encore Boston Harbor. Overall, there was a near-3% year-over-year drop in revenue to $209.2 million.

In the latest July 2026 revenue report from the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, meanwhile, Encore Boston Harbor recorded $21.7 million in table GGR, plus $38 million in slots GRR, paying over $14 million in tax.

Encore Boston Harbor also filed current and future wagers (settled) for the same period. Buoyed by a profitable World Cup, the casino’s sportsbook reported $2.8 million, contributing over half the total for the three Massachusetts land-based casinos.

Encore Eyes Up New Online Gambling in Massachusetts

Battling its own workers is just the latest fight Encore Boston Harbor bosses are facing right now.

Eyes are on the governor race in Massachusetts, which could have a bearing on whether online casinos are legalized. Sports betting has been legal since 2023 in Massachusetts. However, there have been several attempts to clamp down on what gamblers can and can’t wager on.

Encore hasn’t been immune to controversy since sports betting was legalized. In 2023, it fell foul of college betting regulations by accepting wagers on Boston college basketball. While a glitch was blamed, it was a repeat of earlier violations.

Massachusetts gaming regulators are also strengthening its safeguards to help athletes in the Bay State. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) launched a new initiative last week to kick out gamblers caught abusing athletes on the touchlines.

While the state is busy implementing safeguards against its athletes, Encore Boston Harbor workers will be looking for some safeguards of their own.