Around 1,300 workers at Encore Boston Harbor walked out after their collective bargaining agreement expired. The staff are represented by UNITE HERE Local 26 and Teamsters Local 25. The previous contract ended on 31 August.
Workers are demanding higher wages, better health insurance and pension benefits, and job security guarantees. Wynn Resorts said the unions called the strike 'despite ongoing efforts' by the company to reach a deal. The casino remains open. The strike vote passed on 20 August.
Encore Boston Harbor reported $209m in revenue for the second quarter, down 3% year-on-year. Casino revenue fell 6% on a 12% drop in table game win. Wynn CEO Craig Billings pointed to quarterly records in hotel revenue and revenue per available room. 'Demand in Boston remained healthy, slot handle slightly above prior year,' Billings said.
'When the company refuses to respect the workers who create its profits, we shut it down,' said Local 25 president Thomas G Mari.
Union negotiations have become a pressure point for casino operators. Workers are pushing for better terms amid economic uncertainty and the spread of technology such as AI. Over the summer all nine Atlantic City casinos signed new deals without strikes, but only for one year instead of the usual three or more — driven by competition from future New York casinos and New Jersey online gambling. In Las Vegas, the Culinary Union last year used the threat of a strike ahead of the Formula One Grand Prix and Super Bowl to secure historic wage increases across the Strip.
