Encore Boston Harbors begin strike after failed talks

Workers at Encore Boston Harbor have gone on strike after a Friday deadline passed without a new deal.

About 1,300 workers represented by UNITE HERE Local 26 and Teamsters Local 25 unions at Encore Boston Harbor went on strike Friday after their previous collective bargaining agreement expired 31 August.

In a statement, Wynn Resorts said the unions chose to strike “despite our continued efforts” to negotiate a new deal. Workers are calling for wage increases, healthcare and pension benefits and job security protections. The casino will remain operational despite the walkout. Workers had voted to authorise the strike 20 August.

“We are committed to finding common ground that is fair, financially sustainable and protects jobs for the long term,” Wynn said.

In second-quarter results posted last month, Encore Boston Harbor saw $209 million in revenue for the period, which was a 3% drop year-over-year. A 12% YoY drop in table games win led to a 6% decline in overall casino revenue, though Wynn CEO Craig Billings said the property delivered second-quarter records for both hotel revenue and revenue per available room. Demand in Boston “has remained healthy, with slot handle running slightly ahead of last year”, Billings said.

“When a company refuses to respect the workers who make its profits possible, we shut it down,” Thomas G. Mari, president of Local 25, said in a statement. “The Teamsters don’t cross picket lines and won’t be intimidated.”

Union deals across the US

Union deals have been a pressing topic for casino operators in recent years. Workers have pressed for increased benefits and job security provisions in the wake of macroeconomic uncertainty and the advent of potentially disruptive technologies like AI.

All nine of Atlantic City’s casinos agreed to new labour deals this summer without a strike, although its union opted for just one-year deals instead of the typical length of three or more years. This was in response to increased uncertainty related to looming competition from both New York City casinos and New Jersey’s own online gaming industry.

In Las Vegas, the Culinary Union has unionised the entire Las Vegas Strip and secured historic wage increases during the last round of negotiations. Those deals are about halfway done now, and Culinary has is no stranger to strikes, having used them as leverage to secure new deals in the run-up to the inaguaral Formula One Las Vegas Grand Prix in 2023 and and Super Bowl the following February.