The ongoing strike at Encore Boston Harbor has reached its fifth day, with over 1,300 employees at the upscale casino resort choosing to continue their picket line instead of returning to work.
Unite Here Local 26 and Teamsters Local 25 allege that Wynn Resorts has not been negotiating in good faith after their collective bargaining agreements expired on Aug. 31. The company contends that the unions’ demands are unreasonable and could jeopardize jobs.
According to Wynn Resorts, the average union worker at Encore Boston Harbor earns nearly $96,000 annually in wages and benefits. However, union representatives dispute this figure, stating that it includes tips paid by guests and is not reflective of actual pay.
Union officials reveal that their members currently receive hourly wages ranging from $15 to $32, equating to yearly earnings of $31,200 to $66,560.
“Tipped workers receive a lower hourly rate under the assumption that guests will compensate for it,” a union spokesperson explains.
Debate Over Pay
Amid the negotiations, Encore Boston Harbor has launched a website defending its stance on a fair agreement that aligns with financial realities.
The resort states that union members’ benefits have grown by 36.8% over four years, while the property’s revenue only increased by 1.9%. It also highlights an 8.5% rise in consumer prices in Boston during the same period.
The gaming market has evolved, with competitors in neighboring states vying for the same customers. Online sports betting has diverted revenue from land-based operations. Customers prioritize ease of experience and overall value, willing to travel across borders for better conditions,” a statement reads.
Wynn asserts its focus on long-term job preservation and economic stability, stating that proposals that overlook these realities could endanger jobs.
Unions argue that Wynn has been opaque about its pay claims and can afford to better compensate its workforce, which plays a crucial role in the business.
Encore has claimed that the average union worker receives a package exceeding $95,000, including tips paid by guests and reduced base rates for tipped workers. They calculate the employer’s healthcare and pension contributions alongside a few high-volume tipped roles to reach this average, which does not reflect the majority of workers on strike,” a spokesperson from Unite Here Local 26 states.
The unions highlight that workers in similar positions in downtown Boston receive higher pay for the same work.
$27M Pay Raise
Teamsters and Unite Here are pushing for a starting minimum wage of $25 per hour for all employees at Encore Boston Harbor and $10 per hour raises for all union workers over the next four years.
With 1,300 union workers, this $10 per hour increase would result in an additional $27 million in labor costs annually.
In 2025, Encore Boston Harbor reported an EBITDA of $236.7 million, a metric used to gauge financial performance.