Encore Boston Harbor Unions Say They’ve Met Twice With Wynn Since Sept. 4 Strike Began

More than 1,300 workers at Encore Boston Harbor walked off the job on Sept. 4 after contract talks between Wynn Resorts and two labor groups stalled. More than a month later, union leaders say they’ve met only twice with the casino. Union workers at Encore Boston Harbor walk the picket line outside the casino on Sept. 4, 2026. More than a month later, new labor agreements remain unreached between Wynn Resorts and Teamsters Local 25 and Unite Here Local 26. (Image: Unite Here Local 26/X) Teamsters Local 25 and Unite Here Local 26 bargain on behalf of Encore Boston Harbor housekeepers, servers, cooks, bartenders, slot attendants, and warehouse personnel. The unions are seeking $10 per hour pay increases over four years, a minimum starting wage of $25 an hour, and guarantees of 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 have claimed over the past month that they were working to reach a fair deal, Unite Here Local 26 told Casino.org today (Oct. 6) that its negotiators have met only twice with Wynn personnel since the walkout began. Unions Demand ‘Boston Standard’ A spokesperson for Unite Here Local 26 said the union last spoke with Wynn on Wednesday, Sept. 30. It was the second time the union and casino representatives met since the strike commenced. In all that time, and in every session before the strike, Wynn has not proposed a single way to reach the Boston standard. The Boston standard is the pay and protections union hotel workers already have for the same jobs a few miles away,” the Unite Here spokesperson said. “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 want Wynn to recognize the rising cost of living in Greater Boston. A spokesperson for Wynn Resorts previously told Casino.org that Encore Boston Harbor 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. Most of the casino’s recent reviews on Google are positive and graded five out of five stars. Even under strike this place is immaculate, spotless, and service top-notch,” read a review. Some, however, said the strike is impacting the Wynn experience. Not worth a visit during the strike. Service is terrible, and restaurants and valet were closed. You can hear the drums from the picket line banging all night long (and we were on the 22nd floor!),” read a review. Encore Boston Harbor is still demanding premium hotel rates, with rooms for midweek stays starting at $527 before taxes. The post Encore Boston Harbor Unions Say They’ve Met Twice With Wynn Since Sept. 4 Strike Began appeared first on Casino.org.