Encore Boston Harbor Union Members Schedule Strike Authorization Vote for Mid-August 2026

Union workers represented by Unite Here Local 26 and Teamsters Local 25 plan to conduct a strike authorization vote on August 19 and 20 2026 at Encore Boston Harbor in Everett Massachusetts and the combined membership totals approximately 1,350 employees across multiple departments at the Wynn Resorts property.

Contract negotiations center on demands for increased wages along with strengthened pension contributions as existing agreements reach expiration on August 31 2026 while a potential work stoppage could begin September 1 if the vote passes and talks remain unresolved.

Details of the Upcoming Authorization Process

The vote itself allows members to grant their bargaining committees authority to call a strike if necessary yet holding the ballot does not automatically trigger any work stoppage and union leaders have stated that good-faith discussions continue with casino management in the weeks leading up to the deadline.

Representatives from both locals have emphasized that higher compensation and improved retirement funding rank as primary concerns given rising living costs in the greater Boston area and teh physical demands placed on hospitality and transportation staff at a large-scale resort casino.

Property Financial Performance in Recent Years

Financial disclosures from the resort indicate that Encore Boston Harbor generated nearly 847 million dollars in total revenue during 2025 with casino operations contributing more than 629 million dollars of that figure while adjusted EBITDA declined 4.2 percent year-over-year to 236.7 million dollars.

Those revenue numbers reflect continued visitor traffic to the Everett waterfront location yet the EBITDA contraction points to pressure from operating expenses that include labor costs and the outcome of upcoming contract talks could influence future margins if wages rise.

Broader Context for Labor Negotiations

Observers note that hospitality unions across Massachusetts have pursued similar priorities in recent cycles including protections for pension plans that face funding challenges amid changing workforce demographics and contract language that addresses scheduling flexibility for full-time and part-time employees.

Management at the property has not released public statements detailing its bargaining positions although industry analysts track how labor agreements at other New England gaming facilities have incorporated phased wage increases tied to revenue performance metrics.

Potential Timeline and Next Steps

If the authorization vote succeeds the unions could initiate a strike beginning September 1 2026 yet both sides retain the option to extend talks or reach a tentative agreement that would avoid disruption for guests and the surrounding community in Everett.

State regulatory filings show that Encore Boston Harbor operates under oversight from the Massachusetts Gaming Commission which monitors labor stability as part of ongoing compliance requirements for all licensed gaming establishments in the commonwealth.

Workers covered by the two locals perform roles that range from hotel housekeeping and food service to transportation and warehouse operations and their coordinated approach reflects standard practice when multiple bargaining units represent different segments of a single resort workforce.

Conclusion

The strike authorization vote scheduled for August 19 and 20 2026 at Encore Boston Harbor represents a key milestone in ongoing contract discussions between union members and property management ahead of the August 31 expiration date with outcomes that could shape wage structures and pension terms for the 1,350 employees involved.