Encore Boston Harbor Casino Workers Set Strike Authorization Vote for Mid-August
Xander Bauer · Aug 19, 2026
Encore Boston Harbor Casino Workers Set Strike Authorization Vote for Mid-August
Union members representing 1,350 workers at Wynn Resorts’ Encore Boston Harbor casino in Everett, Massachusetts, will hold a vote on August 19 and 20 to decide whether to authorize a strike beginning September 1 if new contracts are not reached before the current agreements expire on August 31. The unions involved are Unite Here Local 26 and Teamsters Local 25, and they have stated that the vote will focus on demands for wages above the current $25 per hour minimum along with stronger pension benefits. The property reported nearly $847 million in total revenue for 2025 and $236.7 million in adjusted EBITDA, a figure that reflects a 4.2 percent decline from the previous year according to available financial disclosures.
Contract Timeline and Union Demands
The existing contracts cover a range of positions at the casino and are scheduled to end on the last day of August, which places the authorization vote roughly two weeks before that deadline. Union leaders have indicated that higher wages and improved retirement contributions form the core issues in the current round of talks, and they have pointed to the casino’s revenue performance as context for their position. Workers will cast ballots over the two-day period in August, and a majority in favor would clear the way for a work stoppage to begin on September 1 if no agreement is reached in the interim.
Financial Performance Figures
Data released for 2025 shows Encore Boston Harbor generated close to $847 million in revenue while posting adjusted EBITDA of $236.7 million. That EBITDA total represents a 4.2 percent decrease compared with 2024 results, yet the overall revenue level remains substantial for the property. Union representatives have referenced these numbers during discussions about compensation, noting that the figures provide a basis for their requests around minimum hourly pay and pension contributions.
Scope of the Workforce
The 1,350 members come from two separate locals that together represent a wide array of roles across the casino floor, hotel operations, and food service areas. Unite Here Local 26 covers many hospitality and food service positions, while Teamsters Local 25 represents transportation and warehouse employees among others. Combined, these groups account for a significant portion of the on-site staff whose contracts are due to expire at the end of August.
Observers note that the upcoming vote will determine whether the unions receive formal approval to proceed with a strike should negotiations stall. The process requires members to participate in the August 19-20 balloting, after which results will guide further actions ahead of the September 1 target date. Both sides continue to meet in an effort to finalize terms before the current agreements lapse.
Regional Context for Labor Negotiations
Everett sits just north of Boston, and the casino operates under regulatory oversight from Massachusetts gaming authorities. The financial results for 2025 place Encore Boston Harbor among the larger revenue generators in the state’s commercial casino market. Union officials have cited the property’s performance metrics when presenting their case for wage increases above the existing $25 hourly floor and for pension adjustments that reflect current contribution levels.
Next Steps in the Process
If the authorization vote passes, the unions would gain the ability to call a strike on or after September 1. Negotiations remain ongoing, and both parties have the opportunity to reach a new agreement during the remaining weeks before the contracts expire. The timeline places the vote and any subsequent action squarely within the late summer period, with August 19 and 20 serving as the immediate focal point for member participation.
Conclusion
The authorization vote scheduled for August 19 and 20 will decide whether 1,350 union members at Encore Boston Harbor can initiate a strike beginning September 1 if new contracts are not finalized. The demands center on wages exceeding the current $25 per hour minimum and enhanced pension benefits, set against revenue of nearly $847 million and adjusted EBITDA of $236.7 million reported for 2025. The outcome of the balloting and any follow-on talks will determine whether operations continue uninterrupted past the August 31 contract expiration date.