More Than 1,300 Encore Boston Harbor Workers Still on Strike as Unions Say They Met Wynn Only Twice
More than a month after walking out, Encore Boston Harbor's unionized workers say they have sat down with Wynn Resorts just twice. The casino says most of the resort is operating normally.
Illustration: Encore Boston Harbor workers on strike since Sept. 4.
A strike that has run for weeks
Over 1,300 employees at Encore Boston Harbor walked off the job on Sept. 4 after contract talks between Wynn Resorts and two labor groups stalled. The previous collective bargaining agreements had expired on Aug. 31. Teamsters Local 25 and Unite Here Local 26 bargain for housekeepers, servers, cooks, bartenders, slot attendants and warehouse staff at the Everett resort.
On Oct. 6, Unite Here Local 26 told Casino.org that its negotiators had met face to face with Wynn representatives only twice since the strike began. The most recent session, it said, took place on Sept. 30.
What the unions are asking for
The unions want pay increases totaling $10 an hour over four years, a minimum starting wage of $25 an hour, and guarantees that existing health-care and pension benefits stay in place. They describe the target as the "Boston standard": the pay and protections that hotel workers already have for the same jobs a few miles away in the city.
A union spokesperson said Wynn has not proposed a way to reach that standard, such as a phase-in or a trade-off, and has simply said no.
Wynn's position
Wynn says workers covered by the two locals already average almost $96,000 a year in pay and benefits. The company says it is working toward a financially sound agreement that keeps Encore a strong employer and economic driver for Massachusetts, and that most operations inside the resort are running as usual.
Guest experiences appear mixed. Some recent online reviews praise the property's service during the strike, while others report closed restaurants, valet problems and noise from the picket line. Midweek rooms were still being offered from $527 before taxes.
What to watch
Both sides say they want a fair deal. The key question is whether the gap on wages and long-term benefits narrows now that the strike has passed the one-month mark, and whether bargaining sessions become more frequent.
Why it matters
Encore Boston Harbor is one of New England's largest casino resorts, so a prolonged strike affects thousands of jobs, guest traffic and Wynn's regional results.
Sources: Casino.org. Figures are as reported at the time of writing and may change.
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