Encore Boston Harbor Strike Ends With New Labor Agreement

Encore Boston Harbor employees have voted to approve a new collective bargaining agreement with the casino resort, bringing a 63-day strike involving approximately 1,300 workers to an end.

UNITE HERE Local 26 and Teamsters Local 25 announced the agreement on Thursday, confirming that their members had ratified the new contract following months of negotiations with Wynn Resorts, the property’s operator. Employees were scheduled to return to work on Friday, with some beginning their shifts as early as 6 a.m.

The strike began on September 4, several days after the previous labor agreement expired on August 31. Workers had sought higher wages, improved benefits, stronger job protections and better provisions covering healthcare funding and pensions.

The agreement’s financial and contractual terms were not immediately disclosed by either union. However, union representatives described the outcome as recognition of employees’ contributions to the Everett, Massachusetts, casino resort.

Carlos Aramayo, president of UNITE HERE Local 26, said the workers had remained committed throughout the dispute despite difficult conditions outside the property.

“Our members walked out not knowing what came next. They held the line through cold, rain and storm, and they held it together,” Carlos Aramayo said, according to The Boston Globe. “Now they go back in as partners with Encore Boston Harbor, with respect on both sides. This community stood with us. Now we get to give it the five-star service it deserves.”

Labor Dispute Disrupted Casino Operations

The walkout affected a broad range of departments at Encore Boston Harbor. Housekeepers, bartenders, waitstaff, cooks, slot machine attendants, drivers, groundskeepers, reception employees and warehouse personnel were among those who stopped working.

The dispute became increasingly visible during its nine-week duration, with striking employees maintaining a continuous picket line near the casino’s entrance. Their presence also attracted support from labor organizations and elected representatives across Massachusetts.

The prolonged absence of union employees affected several aspects of the resort’s operations. Encore suspended its complimentary water shuttle service and closed valet parking, while several upscale restaurants also stopped operating during the dispute.

Management relied on non-striking employees and other personnel to maintain parts of the property’s operations. However, the reduced staffing and disruption coincided with a decline in casino revenue.

Massachusetts Gaming Commission figures showed that Encore’s September revenue dropped by more than 20%, falling to levels last recorded during the pandemic. The strike also discouraged some gamblers from visiting the property, adding to the commercial consequences of the labor dispute.

The casino’s operator had indicated progress toward a settlement before the unions announced the ratification. During an investor call on Thursday afternoon, Wynn Resorts said it had reached a “framework for resolution” with union representatives.

Following confirmation of the agreement, an Encore spokesperson welcomed the outcome and said the company was preparing for the return of its unionized workforce.

“We’re pleased to have reached an agreement that works for our employees and the long-term future of Encore Boston Harbor. Our employees bring the Encore experience to life every day, and we look forward to welcoming our union employees back and having our entire team together again.”

Political and Community Support During the Walkout

The dispute attracted considerable attention from Massachusetts politicians and local authorities as the strike continued through September and October.

Governor Maura Healey visited the picket line and publicly expressed support for the employees. Boston and Everett municipal leaders also backed the workers, with both city councils passing resolutions supporting the strike.

US Senator Ed Markey addressed striking employees and union representatives from across the country at an October 24 rally, which marked more than 50 days since the walkout began.

US Representative Ayanna Pressley and Senator Elizabeth Warren also became involved in the dispute. On October 9, the two lawmakers jointly sent a letter to Wynn Resorts chief executive Craig Billings seeking information about the company’s profits and investments.

Wynn Resorts operates Encore Boston Harbor alongside casino and hospitality properties in Las Vegas, Macau and London. Other state legislators and mayors visited the picket line during the negotiations, adding to pressure on the company to resolve the disagreement.

Teamsters Local 25 president Thomas Mari said the outcome demonstrated the importance of collective action among employees seeking better employment conditions.

“This strike showed what happens when working people stand together and refuse to back down. Our members remained united and fought for the respect and contract they deserve. Encore Boston Harbor is a world-class operation because of the people who make it run every day, and this agreement recognizes the value of these workers. This is what union solidarity looks like,” said Mari.

The announcement also marked the conclusion of a difficult period for employees who had spent more than two months away from their jobs. Icylyn Whittaker, an Encore groundskeeper and Local 26 shop steward, described the experience as an important moment for the workforce.

“Now I know what it means to be the union,” Whittaker said. “We go back in as one team, with each other, with Encore and with the community that stood by us.”

With the agreement ratified, both unions confirmed that their members were preparing to resume their duties and begin a new chapter at Encore Boston Harbor. The return of approximately 1,300 employees will allow the resort to bring its union workforce back together following a dispute that affected its operations and attracted attention across the region.