Encore Boston Harbor Union Members Prepare Strike Authorization Vote as Contract Deadline Approaches
Geschrieben von Erik Long · 19.8.2026
Encore Boston Harbor Union Members Prepare Strike Authorization Vote as Contract Deadline Approaches
Workers at Encore Boston Harbor have scheduled a vote for August 19 and 20 that would authorize a strike beginning September 1 if new contracts are not in place by the August 31 expiration date. The 1,350 members represented by Unite Here Local 26 and Teamsters Local 25 are seeking wage increases above the existing $25 per hour minimum along with strengthened pension provisions. Negotiations continue while the property reports nearly $847 million in total revenue and $236.7 million in adjusted EBITDA for 2025, figures that reflect a 4.2 percent decline from the prior year.
Contract Timeline and Union Positions
Current agreements between the unions and Wynn Resorts cover operations at the Everett, Massachusetts facility and reach their end on August 31. Union representatives have stated that the upcoming vote serves as a procedural step to prepare for possible work stoppage action starting September 1 if talks do not produce terms that meet wage and retirement demands. The process follows standard labor procedures where members decide whether to grant strike authority to their leadership ahead of a deadline.
Representatives from both locals have emphasized that the property's revenue performance provides context for their requests. Data from the casino shows consistent operational scale despite the year-over-year dip in adjusted EBITDA. Observers note that contract talks at similar properties often reference financial results when discussing compensation adjustments.
Workforce Composition and Roles
The combined membership of 1,350 includes employees across multiple departments at the resort. Unite Here Local 26 typically represents hospitality and food service positions while Teamsters Local 25 covers transportation and warehouse functions. These groups have coordinated their timelines for the authorization vote and any subsequent actions. Historical patterns at Massachusetts gaming facilities show that coordinated bargaining can extend the length of negotiations when multiple unions are involved.
Financial Performance Details
Encore Boston Harbor recorded nearly $847 million in total revenue during 2025. Adjusted EBITDA reached $236.7 million, marking a 4.2 percent decrease compared with 2024 results. Company filings and industry reports place these outcomes within the broader context of regional gaming market conditions. The figures remain relevant to contract discussions because unions frequently reference property-level earnings when presenting proposals for wage and benefit improvements. 
Analysts who follow Wynn Resorts operations have noted that the Everett property continues to contribute a substantial share of the company's regional revenue. The 2025 results reflect both steady visitor volume and adjustments in operating costs. Contract negotiators on the union side have pointed to these totals when outlining their positions on minimum hourly rates and pension funding.
Negotiation Context and Next Steps
Talks between Wynn Resorts management and the two locals remain active as the August 31 deadline nears. The August 19-20 vote will determine whether members approve strike authorization, a standard step that does not automatically trigger a work stoppage. If approved, the authority would allow union leadership to call a strike on or after September 1 in the absence of a ratified agreement.
Similar authorization votes have occurred at other casino properties in the Northeast when contracts approached expiration. In those cases the outcomes varied depending on progress at the bargaining table. Massachusetts labor records indicate that most hospitality contracts in the gaming sector are settled without work stoppages, yet the authorization step itself can influence the pace of concessions offered by either side.
Regional Labor Environment
Everett sits within a metropolitan area that includes several large gaming and hospitality employers. Wage scales at Encore Boston Harbor have been compared with those at nearby properties in past rounds of bargaining. Union materials distributed to members highlight the $25 per hour minimum and the need for pension enhancements as central issues. Management has not publicly detailed its counterproposals at this stage of the process.
State agencies that track employment trends in Massachusetts gaming have compiled data on workforce size and compensation at licensed facilities. Those statistics provide background for both parties during negotiations but do not dictate specific contract terms. The current discussions focus on the interplay between operational revenue and employee compensation structures.
Conclusion
The August 19-20 strike authorization vote at Encore Boston Harbor represents a scheduled procedural step ahead of the August 31 contract expiration. Union members will decide whether to grant their leadership the ability to initiate a work stoppage starting September 1 if higher wages and improved pension benefits are not secured. The property's 2025 financial results, including $847 million in revenue and $236.7 million in adjusted EBITDA, form part of the information cited during talks. Outcomes will depend on continued negotiations between Wynn Resorts and the representatives of Unite Here Local 26 along with Teamsters Local 25.