Encore Boston Harbor Workers Authorize Strike as Contract Deadline Looms

Workers at Encore Boston Harbor voted Thursday to authorize a strike at the Everett, Massachusetts casino resort, according to WHDH. The authorization covers approximately 1,350 employees represented by UNITE HERE Local 26 and Teamsters Local 25, whose contract with Wynn Resorts expires August 31, 2026. A work stoppage could begin any time after the contract deadline, though union representatives said they will not announce a strike date in advance.

Contract Deadline and Strike Timeline

The current collective bargaining agreement between Wynn Resorts and the two unions expires on Monday, August 31, 2026. Union leadership confirmed that workers could walk off the job at any point after that date, a tactic that prevents management from preparing contingency staffing or operational plans around a known strike window.

UNITE HERE Local 26 represents food service, housekeeping, and casino floor staff at the property, while Teamsters Local 25 represents warehouse, logistics, and other operational roles. The joint authorization vote signals coordinated action across both bargaining units, boosting potential disruption to the resort's operations.

Strike authorization votes do not guarantee a strike will occur, but they grant union negotiators the credible threat of immediate work stoppage during final contract talks. Similar authorization votes at other hospitality properties have preceded major labor actions when negotiations stalled.

Workers' Central Demands

Workers framed the strike authorization as a response to wage stagnation and compensation that hasn't kept pace with the resort's profitability. "We work hard to make this company successful, and we believe we deserve a fair contract," said Sem Avdic, a warehouse worker and Teamsters Local 25 member, in a statement. Avdic added that workers are seeking fair compensation rather than unreasonable demands, emphasizing that "nobody wants to strike" but that workers refuse to fall behind financially.

Janese Perez, a slot attendant and UNITE HERE Local 26 member, said the dispute centers on wages and health insurance benefits that allow workers to support families and contribute to the local Everett economy. Perez described the fight as extending beyond immediate pay to workers' long-term stability and the city's economic health.

Encore Boston Harbor, marketed as New England's only five-star casino resort, opened in 2019 and employs a workforce that spans hospitality, gaming, entertainment, and facilities operations. Wynn Resorts did not respond to a request for comment on the authorization vote or the status of contract negotiations.

Why This Matters Now

The Encore authorization vote reflects broader momentum in hospitality-sector organizing, where workers have increasingly used strike threats to press for wage gains tied to post-pandemic revenue recovery. Casino and resort properties have reported strong earnings in recent quarters, a backdrop that strengthens union negotiators' arguments that workers should share in that success.

The timing—just ten days before contract expiration—puts immediate pressure on Wynn Resorts to settle or face operational disruption during late-summer peak season. The withholding of a strike date is a deliberate tactical choice, preventing the company from implementing advance mitigation measures such as hiring temporary replacements or shifting operations.

For the roughly 1,350 workers at the property, the vote outcome demonstrates internal solidarity that negotiators can use at the bargaining table. Whether that use translates into a ratified contract or a full work stoppage will become clear within the next two weeks.