Approximately 1,300 employees at Encore Boston Harbor represented by UNITE HERE Local 26 and Teamsters Local 25 unions initiated a strike on Friday after their previous collective bargaining agreement expired on August 31.
Wynn Resorts commented that the unions opted to strike despite ongoing efforts to reach a new agreement. The striking workers are demanding better wages, enhanced healthcare, pension plans, and job security protections. The casino is expected to continue its operations during the strike, as workers had voted on August 20 to authorize the walkout.
Wynn stated, "We are committed to finding common ground that is fair, financially sustainable and protects jobs for the long term."
In its second-quarter financial results released last month, Encore Boston Harbor reported $209 million in revenue, marking a 3% decrease from the previous year. A 12% year-over-year drop in table games win contributed to a 6% decline in overall casino revenue. However, Wynn CEO Craig Billings highlighted that the property set records for hotel revenue and revenue per available room during the quarter, noting that demand in Boston "has remained healthy, with slot handle running slightly ahead of last year."
Thomas G. Mari, president of Local 25, emphasized, "When a company refuses to respect the workers who make its profits possible, we shut it down. The Teamsters don’t cross picket lines and won’t be intimidated."
The issue of union agreements has become increasingly important for casino operators nationwide. Workers have been advocating for enhanced benefits and job security amid economic uncertainty and the rise of disruptive technologies like AI.
This summer, all nine casinos in Atlantic City managed to secure new labor deals without any strikes, although the unions opted for one-year deals instead of the typical three-year agreements. This decision was influenced by concerns about increased competition from casinos in New York City and the burgeoning online gaming industry in New Jersey.
In Las Vegas, the Culinary Union has successfully unionized the entire Las Vegas Strip and obtained significant wage increases in recent negotiations. These union agreements are currently halfway through, with the Culinary Union previously leveraging strikes to secure better terms ahead of high-profile events such as the inaugural Formula One Las Vegas Grand Prix in 2023 and the Super Bowl in February.
