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Understanding the Encore Boston Harbor Strike: A Comprehensive Guide to Union Actions, Casino Operations, and Industry Trends

By jili tutorial · September 6, 2026

Understanding the Encore Boston Harbor Strike: A Comprehensive Guide to Union Actions, Casino Operations, and Industry Trends

Overview of the Strike

On Friday, approximately 1,300 workers at Encore Boston Harbor began a strike after their collective bargaining agreement expired on August 31. The employees are represented by two major unions: UNITE HERE Local 26 (which covers hospitality and food service workers) and Teamsters Local 25 (which represents drivers, warehouse workers, and other logistics staff). The walkout follows a strike authorization vote held on August 20, in which workers gave their union leaders the green light to call a strike if negotiations failed.

Background: The Expired Contract and Stalled Negotiations

When a collective bargaining agreement expires, both sides must either agree on a new contract or face a work stoppage. In this case, the previous contract ended on the last day of August, and talks between the unions and Wynn Resorts, the casino’s parent company, broke down shortly after. Wynn Resorts issued a statement saying that the unions chose to strike “despite our continued efforts” to reach a new deal, while union officials argued that management refused to address the core issues.

A strike authorization vote is a standard union procedure—it does not automatically trigger a strike, but it gives the union leadership the authority to call one if negotiations fail. The fact that 1,300 workers voted to authorize the strike indicates strong solidarity and dissatisfaction with the employer’s proposals.

Key Demands of the Workers

The striking employees are calling for a package of improvements that reflect broader concerns in the U.S. casino industry:

These demands mirror those seen in union negotiations across the country, where workers are increasingly worried about macroeconomic uncertainty and the potential for technology to replace human jobs.

Casino’s Response and Continued Operations

Wynn Resorts stated that it is “committed to finding common ground that is fair, financially sustainable and protects jobs for the long term.” Despite the strike, the casino remains operational. This is common in large resorts where management, temporary staff, or non-union employees can fill in for striking workers—though service levels may be reduced. The company has not indicated any plans to close the property.

Teamsters Local 25 President Thomas G. Mari responded forcefully: “When a company refuses to respect the workers who make its profits possible, we shut it down. The Teamsters don’t cross picket lines and won’t be intimidated.” This highlights the potential for the strike to disrupt deliveries and other logistics that the casino relies on.

Financial Context: Encore Boston Harbor’s Recent Performance

The economic backdrop is important. In its second-quarter results (released in July), Encore Boston Harbor reported $209 million in revenue—a 3% drop compared to the same period the previous year. The decline was driven largely by a 12% year-over-year fall in table games win, which caused overall casino revenue to slip 6%. However, Wynn CEO Craig Billings noted that the property achieved second-quarter records for both hotel revenue and revenue per available room (RevPAR). He also said that “demand in Boston has remained healthy, with slot handle running slightly ahead of last year.”

These mixed results suggest that while the casino is still profitable, it faces headwinds—particularly from table games performance. Workers may argue that the company can afford to improve their compensation, while Wynn may point to the revenue decline as a reason to control costs.

Broader Union Landscape in the U.S. Casino Industry

The Encore Boston Harbor strike is not an isolated event. Casino unions across the country have been active in recent years, pushing for better terms in an environment of rising inflation, labor shortages, and technological disruption.

Atlantic City: Short-Term Deals to Cope with Uncertainty

All nine casinos in Atlantic City successfully negotiated new labor agreements this summer without any strikes. However, the union chose to accept contracts lasting just one year instead of the typical three- to five-year terms. This unusual decision reflects the uncertainty hanging over the market: looming competition from new casinos in New York City and the rapid growth of New Jersey’s own online gaming industry. A one-year deal gives both sides more flexibility to renegotiate as the competitive landscape shifts.

Las Vegas: Historic Wins and Strategic Strikes

The Culinary Union, which represents tens of thousands of workers on the Las Vegas Strip, has already secured historic wage increases during the most recent round of negotiations. Those contracts are roughly halfway through their term now. The Culinary Union has a long history of using strikes as leverage—most notably, it threatened or executed walkouts in the lead-up to major events like the inaugural Formula One Las Vegas Grand Prix in 2023 and the Super Bowl in February 2024. These high-profile events put immense pressure on casino operators to settle quickly, resulting in better deals for workers.

Implications for the Future

The Encore Boston Harbor strike could last days or weeks, depending on how quickly both sides return to the bargaining table. If the strike drags on, it may affect the casino’s reputation and customer experience. Meanwhile, the broader industry is watching closely. Successful strikes in Boston could encourage other casino workers to demand similar improvements, while prolonged conflicts might lead operators to invest more in automation or non-union labor.

For now, the outcome remains uncertain. What is clear is that unionized casino workers across the United States are organizing more aggressively, leveraging their collective power to protect their livelihoods in an era of rapid change.