Encore Boston Harbor ‘Can’t Wait to Serve You’—Even as 1,300 Union Workers Picket
More than 1,300 union workers at Encore Boston Harbor have been walking the picket line outside the $2.6 billion casino resort for nearly a month. Yet officials with parent company Wynn Resorts tell Casino.org that inside, it remains largely business as usual. Approximately 1,350 members of Teamste…
More than 1,300 union workers at Encore Boston Harbor have been walking the picket line outside the $2.6 billion casino resort for nearly a month. Yet officials with parent company Wynn Resorts tell Casino.org that inside, it remains largely business as usual. Union workers with Unite Here Local 26 and Teamsters Local 25 are approaching the one-month mark walking the picket line outside Encore Boston Harbor. Inside, Wynn Resorts says operations continue as normal. (Image: Unite Here Local 26) Approximately 1,350 members of Teamsters Local 25 and Unite Here Local 26 who work at Encore Boston Harbor walked off the job on Sept. 4, four days afteIn Massachusetts, workers who voluntarily go on strike are generally disqualified from receiving Approximately 1,350 members of Teamsters Local 25 and Unite Here Local 26 who work at Encore Boston Harbor walked off the job on Sept. 4, four days after their collective bargaining contracts expired. The union members work in a variety of positions, including housekeepers, servers, cooks, bartenders, slot attendants, and warehouse personnel. Union leaders are seeking $10-an-hour pay increases over four years and minimum starting wages of $25 an hour. Wynn’s negotiators have pushed back, stating union workers already earn average total compensation of almost $96,000 a year in pay and benefits. The unions countered that the figure “is not a paycheck,” includes tips, and is skewed by “a few high-volume tipped classifications.” As the strike inches toward its one-month mark, Wynn Resorts says Encore Boston Harbor remains staffed and ready to serve guests, though certain amenities, like valet service, may be limited. “We are open, operational and welcoming guests, and our team is focused on delivering the exceptional experience guests expect from Encore Boston Harbor,” a Wynn Resorts spokesperson told Casino.org. “At the same time, we remain committed to an agreement that recognizes the contributions of our employees while protecting the thousands of jobs and economic benefits Encore Boston Harbor provides to the Commonwealth. We are working toward a financially sound agreement that keeps Encore a strong employer and economic engine for Massachusetts for years to come.” The Encore Boston Harbor website has been updated to include a “Guest Information” page with the latest impacts from the strike, as well as “Venue Availability.” Website Now Shows Wait Times The two unions seeking increased compensation are asking the public to boycott Encore Boston Harbor until the casino meets their demands. Several local governing bodies, including the Boston City Council and Everett City Council, have passed resolutions pledging not to patronize the resort until new bargaining terms are reached. “Don’t eat, meet, sleep, or gamble at Encore Boston Harbor until workers win a fair contract,” Unite Here Local 26 urged the public in a recent statement. Along with the Guest Information and Venue Availability pages, the Encore Boston Harbor homepage was recently updated to feature live service wait times. A new section on the resort’s homepage declares, “We can’t wait to serve you,” accompanied by real-time tracking for cage cashier visits and slot attendant responses for jackpot payouts. Wynn states that slot players winning $2,000 or more are typically attended to within two minutes, while wait times to reach a cage cashier currently average under three minutes. “Open and ready to welcome you,” the site reads. Encore Boston Harbor’s 671 guestrooms and suites remain open and serviced, the casino’s slot machines and table games remain operational, and the majority of the resort’s nearly two-dozen dining and beverage venues continue to serve guests. Economic Impact In Massachusetts, workers who voluntarily participate in a strike are generally disqualified from receiving state unemployment benefits. Instead, the 1,350 striking workers at Encore Boston Harbor are receiving union strike stipends—compensation that falls well below their regular wages. Unions typically require members to perform picket duties to qualify for the stipends, which are also classified as taxable income. For Wynn, the financial toll of the dispute remains to be seen. A clearer picture will emerge when the Massachusetts Gaming Commission releases its September revenue reports in mid-to-late October. In August, Encore Boston Harbor reported gross gaming revenue (GGR) of $62.9 million from its slot machines and table games, compared to $19.5 million for MGM Springfield and $15.2 million for Plainridge Park Casino. The post Encore Boston Harbor ‘Can’t Wait to Serve You’—Even as 1,300 Union Workers Picket appeared first on Casino.org.