Commercial Gaming

Boston City Council Urges Wynn Resorts to Meet Encore Boston Harbor Union Demands

Posted on: September 17, 2026, 10:01h.

Last updated on: September 17, 2026, 10:01h.

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Devin O'Connor Devin O'Connor is a senior reporter for Casino.org, covering politics, casino business, and gaming news. Devin came on board with Casino.org in 2014...
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Key Points

Boston City Council unanimously backed 1,350 striking Encore Boston Harbor workers and pledged not to patronize the casino until a new contract is reached
The Teamsters and Unite Here workers are seeking $10-an-hour raises over four years, $25 starting pay, and health and pension protections
Encore reported $236.7 million in 2025 EBITDA, down from $247.1 million in 2024

The Boston City Council has joined the City of Everett in siding with Teamsters Local 25 and Unite Here Local 26 in the unions’ ongoing labor dispute with Wynn Resorts at Encore Boston Harbor.

Boston City Council Wynn strike Encore Boston Harbor — Members of Teamsters Local 25 and Unite Here Local 26 with Boston City Councilors at Boston City Hall on Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026. The photo op followed the Boston City Council passing an ordinance in support of the unions’ ongoing strike at Encore Boston Harbor. (Image: Teamsters Local 25/Unite Here Local 26)

During their Wednesday (Sept. 16) regularly scheduled meeting, the Boston City Council unanimously voted to support striking workers at Encore Boston Harbor. The $2.6 billion casino resort is located across the Mystic River in Everett.

The two unions represent 1,350 workers at Encore Boston Harbor. They went on strike on Sept. 4 after their collective bargaining contracts expired on Aug. 31.

The Boston City Council’s resolution pledges that its councilors will not eat, conduct meetings, stay, or otherwise patronize Encore Boston Harbor until new union contracts are reached.

“The resolution puts the council on record in support of the strike,” the Boston City Council said.

The resolution, sponsored by Councilman Henry Santana, says union workers deserve fair pay and benefits.

The workers at Encore Boston Harbor serve as ambassadors for the Greater Boston area to travelers and tourists. Access to a living wage, job security, and quality healthcare are concerns that all Bostonians share and are essential to economic security and dignity,” the resolution said.

The Boston, Everett, and Somerville city councils are now all on record in supporting the unions in their ongoing strike.

Wynn Says Unions Asking for Too Much

The Encore Boston Harbor unions want $10 per hour pay increases over four years and starting pay at $25 an hour. Teamsters and Unite Here are also seeking guarantees of current health care and pension benefits.

Officials with Wynn Resorts say the asks are unreasonable, claiming union workers already make more than their counterparts in similar roles across the Massachusetts capital city. Wynn says the average compensation for an Encore Boston Harbor housekeeper, server, cook, bartender, slot attendant, and warehouse worker is almost $96,000 a year. That’s significantly higher than Boston’s $62,000 per capita income and almost reaches the median household income of $97,344, per US Census Bureau figures.

We’re proud of the role Encore Boston Harbor plays in the community. Since 2019, we’ve invested $2.6 billion in Everett, generated $1.1 billion in state tax revenue, made $370 million in community payments, and paid $1.3 billion in employee compensation,” a spokesperson for Wynn Resorts told Casino.org.

“We remain committed to this community, which is why we’re focused on reaching an agreement that is financially sustainable to protect jobs for the long term,” the Wynn statement added.

Encore Boston Harbor Financials

Encore Boston Harbor reported 2025 earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) of $236.7 million. EBITDA is a commonly used metric to measure financial performance and profitability.

Encore Boston Harbor reported EBITDA of $210.1 million in 2021, $243.4 million in 2022, $257.4 million in 2023, and $247.1 million in 2024.