Standoff at Encore Boston: Unions Say They’ve Met With Wynn Just Twice Since Strike Began

More than 1,300 workers at Encore Boston Harbor walked off the job on Sept. 4 following a breakdown in contract negotiations with Wynn Resorts. Now more than a month into the strike, union leaders say they have met with the casino just twice.

Teamsters Local 25 and UNITE HERE Local 26 represent housekeepers, servers, cooks, bartenders, slot attendants, and warehouse personnel at Encore Boston Harbor. The unions are pushing for a $10-per-hour wage increase spread over four years, a $25-per-hour starting minimum wage, and guarantees protecting existing healthcare and pension benefits.

The collective bargaining agreements for the unions at Encore Boston Harbor expired Aug. 31. After Wynn was unwilling to meet the unions’ demands, with the company saying Local 25 and 26 workers already average almost $96,000 a year in pay and benefits, the labor groups followed through on their strike threat.

While both sides publicly maintain they are working toward a fair deal, a UNITE HERE Local 26 spokesperson told Casino.org on Tuesday, Oct. 6, that negotiators have met with Wynn management only twice since the walkout began—most recently on Sept. 30.

Unions Demand ‘Boston Standard’

Union leaders contend that Wynn has consistently refused to match wage rates established at nearby unionized properties

“Wynn has never offered a trade, a phase-in, or any new condition that would get workers there. It has simply said ‘no.’ Wynn says it wants an agreement that is ‘fair, financially sustainable, and protects jobs for the long term.’ The workers want the same thing. They believe the two sides can negotiate a contract that meets the Boston standard and that Wynn can sustain for years to come,” the union statement continued.

The unions emphasize that their wage demands reflect the rapidly rising cost of living across Greater Boston. In response, a spokesperson for Wynn Resorts told Casino.org that the company remains “committed to an agreement that recognizes the contributions of employees while protecting the thousands of jobs and economic benefits Encore Boston Harbor provides.”

“We are working toward a financially sound agreement that keeps Encore a strong employer and economic engine for Massachusetts for years to come,” the Wynn spokesperson said.

Resort Status

Wynn officials say most resort operations inside Encore Boston Harbor are running as normal, despite the union strike.

Recent guest reviews on platforms like Google reflect a mixed picture. While several recent visitors praised the property—with one reviewer noting that “even under strike, this place is immaculate, spotless, and service top-notch”—others reported noticeable disruptions.

“Not worth a visit during the strike,” wrote another guest. “Service is terrible, and restaurants and valet were closed. You can hear the drums from the picket line banging all night long.”

Despite the ongoing labor standoff and reduced amenities, room pricing remains high: midweek night stays at Encore Boston Harbor currently start at $527 before taxes and resort fees.