Encore Boston Harbor Casino Faces Contract Deadline as Union Members Schedule Strike Authorization Vote

Union members representing 1,350 workers at Encore Boston Harbor in Everett, Massachusetts, will cast ballots on August 19 and 20 to decide whether to authorize a strike beginning September 1, 2025, should new contracts fail to replace those expiring August 31, and the vote centers on demands for wages above the current $25 per hour minimum along with strengthened pension provisions.

Contract Negotiations and Timeline Details

Contracts covering employees from Unite Here Local 26 and Teamsters Local 25 reach their end date at the close of August, which places the authorization ballots just days before that cutoff, while union leadership has tied any work stoppage directly to the absence of improved terms on compensation and retirement benefits. Observers note that the two-day voting window allows members across multiple shifts to participate, and the September 1 start date for potential action aligns with the first day after contracts lapse.

Data from the property shows total revenue reached nearly $847 million in 2025, accompanied by adjusted EBITDA of $236.7 million, a figure that declined 4.2 percent compared with the prior year, and union representatives have referenced these results when outlining their positions at the bargaining table.

Wage and Benefit Proposals Under Discussion

Current minimum hourly pay stands at $25, yet the unions seek increases beyond that level, while also pressing for pension enhancements that would build on existing retirement structures already in place for the workforce. Those demands come as the casino continues operations under Wynn Resorts ownership, and negotiators on both sides continue to meet ahead of the vote dates.

Operational Considerations Around a Possible Work Stoppage

A strike commencing September 1 would affect staffing across hotel, food service, and gaming areas at the property, since the combined membership from the two locals covers those departments, and management would need to determine coverage plans should the authorization pass and negotiations stall. The casino has maintained steady guest traffic based on the reported revenue levels, yet any interruption in service could alter daily routines for visitors and employees alike.

Contract language typically outlines procedures for dispute resolution, and both parties retain the option to continue talks past the August 31 expiration while the vote proceeds, which keeps channels open even as the deadline approaches. Union members receive updates through their locals, and the authorization process itself follows standard labor procedures under applicable state and federal guidelines.

Union Representation and Workforce Composition

Unite Here Local 26 and Teamsters Local 25 together represent the 1,350 workers involved in the current round of bargaining, with each local handling distinct segments of the workforce such as hospitality roles and transportation or warehouse functions. This structure allows coordinated action across the two organizations while preserving separate representation for different job classifications at the single property.

Those eligible to vote include full-time and part-time staff covered by the expiring agreements, and turnout expectations remain high given the direct impact of any strike decision on individual schedules and compensation. Historical patterns at similar properties show that authorization votes often serve as leverage during final negotiation stages rather than immediate triggers for action.

Conclusion

The August 19-20 vote will determine whether the unions gain formal authority to initiate a work stoppage on September 1, and the outcome hinges on whether new contracts emerge with wage gains above the existing $25 hourly floor and expanded pension terms before the current agreements conclude. Financial data for 2025, including the $847 million revenue and $236.7 million adjusted EBITDA, continues to inform discussions, while the two locals maintain their focus on securing updated terms for their combined membership at the Everett casino. Further developments in the negotiations will unfold in the days immediately surrounding the balloting period.