Encore Boston Harbor workers ratify new contract, ending two-month strike
About 1,300 union employees will return to work after a walkout that began in early September.
EVERETT · Approximately 1,300 unionized workers at Encore Boston Harbor have ratified a new collective bargaining agreement, ending a 63-day strike that began on September 4. The workers, represented by UNITE HERE Local 26 and Teamsters Local 25, voted late Thursday to approve the deal with Wynn Resorts, which operates the Everett, Massachusetts, casino resort. Employees began returning to work on Friday morning, with some shifts starting as early as 6 a.m. The strike involved housekeepers, cooks, servers, bartenders, slot attendants, and warehouse staff.
"Our members walked out not knowing what came next. They held the line through cold, rain, and storm, and they held it together," said Carlos Aramayo, president of UNITE HERE Local 26. "Now they go back in as partners with Encore Boston Harbor, with respect on both sides." The unions had sought pay comparable to unionized downtown Boston hotels, stronger job protections, and the preservation of healthcare benefits and guaranteed hours. The specific financial terms of the new agreement were not disclosed.
Wynn Resorts welcomed the settlement. "We’re pleased to have reached an agreement that works for our employees and the long-term future of Encore Boston Harbor," the company said in a statement. "Our employees bring the Encore experience to life every day, and we look forward to welcoming our union employees back and having our entire team together again." The resort remained open during the strike, relying on non-striking employees, but suspended its water shuttle service and valet parking and closed several upscale restaurants.
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The strike had a measurable impact on the property's financial performance. Massachusetts Gaming Commission figures show Encore generated $46.1 million in gross gaming revenue in September, down about 22% from $59.1 million a year earlier. Wynn reported that Encore’s total third-quarter operating revenue fell to $194.7 million from $211.8 million a year earlier, with adjusted property EBITDAR declining from $58.4 million to $50.1 million. During an earnings call Thursday, Wynn CEO Craig Billings described the strike as a "modest headwind." Analysts viewed the resolution as a positive step. "On the bright side, Boston’s labor dispute has been resolved, which had been a headwind for the property during the quarter," wrote Truist Securities analyst Barry Jonas. David Bain, an analyst with Texas Capital Securities, noted, "We expect the asset to immediately benefit from resilient, close-to-home, drive-to-gaming trends moving forward."
The dispute garnered significant political support. Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey visited the picket line, and federal lawmakers including US Senator Ed Markey, Senator Elizabeth Warren, and Representative Ayanna Pressley expressed support for the workers. Thomas Mari, president of Teamsters Local 25, said the agreement showed the power of collective action. "This strike showed what happens when working people stand together and refuse to back down," Mari said. "This is what union solidarity looks like."
Icylyn Whittaker, an Encore public-area worker and shop steward, said the experience changed her perspective. "Before, I was a union member. Now I know what it means to be the union," she said. Aramayo said the new contract aligns with market standards in the Greater Boston area for wages, benefits, and job security. He also encouraged patrons who had supported the strike by staying away to return to the property now that the dispute is over.