Encore Boston Harbor Workers Schedule Strike Authorization Vote Amid Contract Talks

Union members representing 1,350 workers at Wynn Resorts’ Encore Boston Harbor casino in Everett, Massachusetts, have scheduled a vote for August 19-20 on whether to authorize a strike beginning September 1, and the outcome hinges on whether new contracts replace those set to expire August 31 with raises above the current $25 per hour minimum plus stronger pension terms. Unite Here Local 26 and Teamsters Local 25 members will cast ballots during that two-day window, while both sides continue negotiations over wages and retirement benefits that unions tie directly to the property’s reported financial results.

Contract Expiration and Union Demands

Current agreements reach their end on August 31, which places the property and its workforce on a tight timeline before any potential work stoppage, and union leaders point to nearly $847 million in total revenue along with $236.7 million in adjusted EBITDA for 2025 as evidence that the casino can meet higher compensation levels. Those figures represent a 4.2 percent decline from 2024 totals, yet they still reflect substantial operating performance that the unions cite when pressing for improvements in base pay and pension contributions. Workers have maintained the $25 hourly floor under existing contracts, and the upcoming vote will determine whether they grant their bargaining teams authority to call a strike if talks stall.

Financial Performance Cited in Negotiations

Observers note that the revenue and EBITDA numbers released for 2025 form the core of the unions’ position during bargaining sessions, while management has not publicly detailed counterproposals beyond the ongoing discussions. The property, which opened in 2019, has become one of the larger gaming venues in the Northeast, and its results continue to draw attention from labor groups tracking regional casino economics. Data from the 2025 reporting period shows the facility maintained strong cash flow even after the modest year-over-year dip, and union representatives have referenced those metrics when explaining why they seek raises above the present minimum and enhanced retirement funding.

Timeline Leading to September 1

The August 19-20 vote sets the stage for any action starting September 1, which gives both the unions and Wynn Resorts a narrow window to reach agreement before the contracts lapse. Union officials have stated that failure to secure the requested wage and pension changes could trigger the strike authorization, whereas company representatives have emphasized continued talks without confirming specific offers. Those who follow labor developments in the gaming sector point out that similar authorization votes often precede intensified bargaining rounds rather than immediate walkouts, yet the September 1 date remains fixed unless new contracts intervene.

Encore Boston Harbor employs the combined membership of the two locals across hotel, food service, and transportation roles, which means a work stoppage would affect multiple operational areas simultaneously. The 1,350 workers represent a significant portion of the property’s staff, and their contracts cover the full range of positions that keep daily operations running. Negotiations have focused on how the 2025 financial results translate into compensation adjustments, with the unions arguing that revenue and profit levels support increases beyond the existing $25 hourly threshold and better pension security.

Regional Context for Casino Labor

Massachusetts gaming regulators track employment and contract matters at licensed facilities, and the current talks at Encore Boston Harbor fall under standard state oversight procedures for labor relations in the industry. Industry reports from organizations such as the American Gaming Association have documented rising labor costs across U.S. casino markets in recent years, and the situation in Everett reflects patterns seen at other properties where unions leverage financial disclosures during contract renewals. Data compiled by state gaming commissions in the Northeast shows that properties with strong EBITDA margins frequently face pressure for wage growth tied to those results, and the 2025 figures released for Encore Boston Harbor fit that established pattern.

Next Steps After the Vote

Should the authorization pass, the unions would hold the legal right to initiate a strike on or after September 1, although actual timing would depend on further developments at the bargaining table. If the vote fails, negotiations would continue under the existing contract terms until a new agreement is reached. Both Unite Here Local 26 and Teamsters Local 25 have coordinated their efforts on the joint vote, which streamlines the process for the combined membership and presents a unified front to management. The financial performance data for 2025 continues to serve as the reference point in discussions, with the reported revenue and EBITDA levels remaining central to arguments on both sides.

Conclusion

The August 19-20 strike authorization vote at Encore Boston Harbor will determine whether the 1,350 union members can move forward with a September 1 work stoppage if contracts are not renewed with the requested wage and pension improvements. The property’s 2025 financial results of nearly $847 million in revenue and $236.7 million in adjusted EBITDA stand at the center of the talks, and the outcome of the vote will shape labor relations at the Everett casino in the weeks ahead.