Encore Boston Harbor Workers Ratify Contract After 63-Day Strike

The 63-day labor dispute at Encore Boston Harbor concluded Thursday when roughly 1,300 workers represented by UNITE HERE Local 26 and Teamsters Local 25 voted to ratify a new contract. The strike began September 4, just days after the previous collective bargaining agreement expired, and involved housekeeping, culinary, server, bartender, slot attendant, and warehouse staff across the Everett, Massachusetts resort.

Union representatives had previously sought compensation levels matching unionized downtown Boston hotels, enhanced job protections, preserved healthcare benefits, and guaranteed hours. While the specific terms of the new agreement have not been publicly disclosed, both Wynn and the unions framed the settlement as favorable. Carlos Aramayo, president of UNITE HERE Local 26, stated that members "held the line through cold, rain and storm" and would now return "as partners with Encore Boston Harbor, with respect on both sides." Wynn said the agreement positioned the resort for its "long-term future" and expressed eagerness to reunite its full workforce.

The strike imposed measurable financial pressure on the operator. Massachusetts Gaming Commission data showed Encore's gross gaming revenue plummeted to $46.1 million in September, representing a 22 percent decline from $59.1 million in the prior year and marking its lowest monthly total since February 2021. By contrast, gaming revenues at MGM Springfield and Plainridge Park, the state's two other commercial casinos, remained relatively stable throughout the period. For the full third quarter, Wynn reported that Encore's total operating revenue fell to $194.7 million from $211.8 million year-over-year, while adjusted property EBITDAR declined from $58.4 million to $50.1 million. During Wynn's earnings call Thursday, CEO Craig Billings characterized the strike as a "modest headwind," suggesting management viewed the financial impact as manageable.

The dispute received notable political backing. Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey visited the picket line, and federal lawmakers questioned Wynn leadership about the labor conditions. One seven-year Encore employee, Icylyn Whittaker, reflected on the strike's personal significance: "Before, I was a union member. Now I know what it means to be the union."

The settlement carries broader implications for the Northeast gaming sector and union organizing efforts in hospitality. As regional casino markets mature and labor organizing gains momentum nationwide, contentious negotiations have become routine at major properties. The Encore dispute demonstrates how extended work stoppages can materially affect gaming revenue and operator profitability, even at established resorts. For CasinoAdvisor's database tracking labor relations across North American operators, this case exemplifies the tension between corporate margin preservation and worker demands for parity with downtown urban casino standards.