Encore Boston Harbor Workers Authorize Strike Ahead of Contract Deadline
Written by Erik Zimmermann · Aug 22, 2026
Encore Boston Harbor Workers Authorize Strike Ahead of Contract Deadline
More than 1,300 workers at Encore Boston Harbor casino in Everett, Massachusetts voted to authorize a strike that could begin as soon as September 1, and the move comes as contract talks with Wynn Resorts approach the August 31 expiration date for the current collective bargaining agreement. Roughly 1,350 members from UNITE HERE Local 26 and Teamsters Local 25 participated in the vote, while nearly all supported the authorization according to union reports.
Details of the Authorization Vote
The ballot results show overwhelming backing among participants, and this step gives union leaders the ability to call a work stoppage if talks stall before the existing contract ends. Workers represent a range of roles across the property including hospitality, food service, and transportation positions, while the two locals coordinate their efforts to present unified demands during negotiations. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission maintains oversight of casino operations in the state, and observers note that such labor actions fall under standard processes outlined by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development.
Parties Involved and Timeline
Wynn Resorts operates the Encore Boston Harbor property, and the company continues to engage in bargaining sessions with representatives from both unions. Contract expiration falls on August 31, 2026, which sets a firm deadline for reaching terms on wages, benefits, and working conditions. Union members cast ballots in recent days leading up to the announcement, and the high participation rate underscores the level of engagement within the workforce ahead of potential action.
Background on the Unions and Casino Operations
UNITE HERE Local 26 covers many hospitality and food service employees at the resort, whereas Teamsters Local 25 represents transportation and related support staff. Together the groups account for the bulk of the unionized workforce at the Everett location, and their combined membership reached the 1,350 figure referenced in the authorization vote. The casino itself opened in 2018 as a major employer in the region, and it remains one of the primary gaming facilities under Massachusetts regulatory oversight. Data from state labor filings shows consistent union presence at the property since its launch, while current talks focus on renewing terms that expired at the end of August.
Negotiators from both sides have held multiple sessions in recent weeks, and the strike authorization serves as a procedural step that keeps pressure on the process without immediately halting operations. Should no agreement emerge by the deadline, the unions retain the option to set a specific strike date beginning September 1. Management at Wynn Resorts has not publicly detailed its latest proposals, yet the company continues to operate the property under the terms of the expiring agreement until that point.
Next Steps in the Bargaining Process
Union leadership plans to keep members informed through regular updates as talks resume, and the authorization vote provides a clear mandate for continued advocacy on key issues. State labor guidelines allow for such actions once members approve them by majority, and nearly unanimous support in this case reflects broad alignment among participants. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission tracks employment and compliance matters at licensed facilities, although labor negotiations themselves proceed under separate federal and state frameworks.
Conclusion
The authorization vote at Encore Boston Harbor marks a defined point in ongoing contract discussions between Wynn Resorts and the two locals representing its workers. With the August 31 deadline approaching, both sides retain the opportunity to reach terms before any work stoppage takes effect, and further developments will depend on the outcome of remaining bargaining sessions.