Encore Boston Harbor Workers Schedule Strike Authorization Vote for Mid-August
Yara Baumann · Aug 19, 2026
Encore Boston Harbor Workers Schedule Strike Authorization Vote for Mid-August
Workers at Encore Boston Harbor in Everett, Massachusetts, representing 1,350 members from Unite Here Local 26 and Teamsters Local 25, will cast ballots on August 19 and 20 to decide whether to authorize a strike beginning September 1 if current contracts are not renewed before their August 31 expiration date. The unions are seeking wage increases above the existing $25 per hour minimum along with enhanced pension benefits, and they point to the property's revenue performance as context for the negotiations.
Contract Timeline and Union Demands
Current agreements between the unions and Wynn Resorts, which owns the Encore Boston Harbor property, reach their end on August 31, creating a defined window for talks ahead of the vote. Union representatives have stated that the proposed changes focus on raising the hourly wage floor and strengthening retirement contributions, measures they argue align with the casino's operational scale in teh Boston market. The authorization vote itself does not guarantee a strike will occur, yet it provides formal approval for union leadership to call one if talks stall.
Observers note that contract expirations in the gaming sector often trigger similar authorization processes, allowing members to signal their position while bargaining continues. In this instance the timeline places the potential work stoppage immediately after Labor Day, a period when regional tourism and convention activity typically remain steady.
Property Financial Performance Cited in Discussions
Union statements reference the casino's 2025 results, which showed nearly $847 million in total revenue and $236.7 million in adjusted EBITDA, a figure that declined 4.2 percent compared with the prior year. Those figures come from public disclosures and serve as the basis for union arguments that the property can accommodate higher compensation and benefit costs. Management has not released detailed counter-proposals in public filings at this stage, leaving the details of any revised offers to emerge during continued negotiations.
Data from industry tracking services indicate that adjusted EBITDA margins at major regional casinos have fluctuated with post-pandemic recovery patterns, yet Encore Boston Harbor has maintained positive operating cash flow throughout the reported period. The 4.2 percent year-over-year dip in 2025 still leaves the property among the stronger performers in the Northeast gaming corridor when measured by absolute dollar returns.
Broader Context for Massachusetts Gaming Labor Relations
Massachusetts gaming regulators have tracked labor developments at the state's three casinos since the opening of the first facility, and the Massachusetts Gaming Commission maintains records of workforce agreements that affect licensing compliance. While the current dispute centers on wages and pensions, past negotiations at other properties have incorporated provisions for training programs and scheduling predictability that unions have carried forward into subsequent contracts.
State labor statistics compiled by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development show that hospitality and leisure employment in the Boston metro area has grown steadily since 2022, creating a competitive environment for skilled casino staff. Union organizers have referenced these market conditions when explaining why members seek contract improvements that exceed the current minimum wage level.
Potential Timeline and Next Steps
If the August 19-20 vote passes, union leadership would hold the option to initiate a work stoppage on September 1, although both sides retain the ability to reach a new agreement before that date. Bargaining sessions are expected to continue through the remainder of the summer, with federal mediators from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service available if requested by either party. Historical patterns in casino labor disputes show that many authorization votes conclude without an actual strike once tentative agreements are reached.
Payroll and benefits data released by Wynn Resorts in prior years indicate that the company has adjusted compensation structures at its other properties following similar union campaigns, though each market presents distinct economic variables. The Everett location benefits from proximity to Boston Logan International Airport and major convention venues, factors that support steady visitor counts even during slower seasonal periods.
Conclusion
The upcoming vote at Encore Boston Harbor represents a standard procedural step in collective bargaining for the 1,350 represented employees. Revenue and EBITDA figures for 2025 provide the factual backdrop against which wage and pension proposals are being measured, while the August 19-20 balloting will determine whether strike authority is granted ahead of the September 1 deadline. Continued negotiations will determine whether the contracts are extended or replaced before the existing agreements lapse.