Encore Boston Casino Workers Strike Over Labor Day

In a striking display of labor unrest over the holiday weekend, more than 1,300 workers at Everett's Encore Boston Harbor casino walked off the job on Friday, mounting a massive picket line outside New England's premier gambling destination. Represented by Teamsters Local 25 and UNITE HERE Local 26, the coalition of hotel, warehouse, and service staff initiated the strike following the expiration of their union contract on August 31. The work stoppage spotlights a growing rift between casino management and the hospitality workers who claim their wages have failed to keep pace with the region's punishing cost of living.

Stalled Negotiations and a Walkout

The decision to strike did not materialize overnight. Negotiations between Wynn Resorts—the parent company of Encore Boston Harbor—and union leadership had reportedly been deteriorating for weeks. In late August, workers voted by a resounding 97 percent margin to authorize a strike if a fair contract could not be reached, signaling deep-seated frustration with what they described as management's refusal to bargain in good faith. According to OnLabor's weekend coverage, the striking workers make up roughly 41 percent of the resort's total staff, encompassing vital roles such as housekeepers, bartenders, warehouse workers, and drivers.

For the workers, the central issues are indisputable: they demand enhanced wage structures, robust benefits, and firmer job protections. Union representatives have been vocal about the disparity between the resort’s immense profitability and the compensation of its front-line staff. Encore Boston Harbor generated hundreds of millions in gaming revenue last year, ranking it among the most lucrative commercial casinos outside of Nevada. Yet, organizers argue that the workforce powering this five-star experience is struggling to make ends meet in Greater Boston.

The Strike Line and Casino Operations

Despite the massive mobilization outside its doors, Encore Boston Harbor has kept its gaming floors and hotel operations open. Management has relied heavily on a mix of non-union staff and temporary replacement workers to bridge the gap during the busy Labor Day weekend. However, the unions have actively urged patrons, suppliers, and prospective guests to honor the picket line. Teamsters Local 25, which represents the warehouse employees and drivers who supply the resort, declared that no union truck would deliver food, liquor, or essential supplies while the strike continues.

The localized disruption is rippling across the state's labor landscape, setting up a high-stakes test of union leverage in the post-pandemic hospitality sector. Picketers at the Everett property have been relentless, chanting through the holiday weekend and promising to remain off the job for as long as it takes to secure a comprehensive contract. Union stewards have reiterated that employees at a premium, luxury property deserve compensation that reflects the elite service they are expected to provide.

A Looming Standoff

Wynn Resorts has issued statements indicating their willingness to continue negotiations, but a rapid resolution appears unlikely as both sides remain firmly entrenched. The timing of the strike—strategically aligned with one of the most profitable tourism weekends of the year—maximizes the economic pressure on the casino's bottom line. The longer the dispute stretches into the busy fall convention season, the greater the risk of canceled events, diminished service quality, and sustained revenue bleeding.

As the dust settles on this Labor Day standoff, the Encore Boston Harbor strike serves as a potent reminder of the fragility inherent in the modern hospitality industry. Glittering gaming floors and luxury suites are ultimately sustained by the unseen, everyday labor of thousands of individuals who are increasingly unwilling to accept stagnant wages in a booming market. If Wynn Resorts intends to maintain its five-star prestige, it must recognize that world-class service cannot be cleanly divorced from the world-class compensation of the workers who deliver it.