Workers at Encore Boston Harbor voted on Thursday to authorize a strike at the Everett, Massachusetts property, according to UNITE HERE Local 26 and Teamsters Local 25.
Roughly 1,350 members of the two unions work at the property. Their contract with Wynn Resorts expires August 31, and a strike could begin at any time after that date. The unions said they will not announce a strike date in advance.
Workers cite compensation and respect in vote
Sem Avdic, a warehouse worker and member of Teamsters Local 25, said the vote reflected dissatisfaction with current compensation levels at the property.
“We’re proud of what we built at Encore, and we take pride in the work we do every day,” Avdic said. “We work hard to make this company successful, and we believe we deserve a fair contract that allows us to provide for our families.”
“We’re not asking for anything unreasonable; we’re asking to be respected and fairly compensated for the work we do. That’s why we voted the way we did. Nobody wants to strike. But nobody is going to keep making Wynn rich while our own families fall behind,” Avdic added.
Janese Perez, a slot attendant and member of UNITE HERE Local 26, linked the labor dispute to the local economy in Everett.
“When workers earn livable wages and have good health insurance, that money goes back into our families, our neighborhoods, local businesses, and our community,” Perez said.
“We have worked hard for what we have, and we are asking for a fair share of the success we help create. This fight is about more than a paycheck. It’s about our families, our future, and the future of Everett,” Perez added.
Teamsters point to strike fund and financial figures
Sean O’Brien, who won reelection as Teamsters president, has said the union maintains a Strike Defense Fund with about $365 million in reserves, providing financial backing for members who join a picket line.
The unions said Encore Boston Harbor generated $847 million in revenue in Boston last year, citing Wynn Resorts’ filings with the US Securities and Exchange Commission.
Thomas G. Mari, president and principal officer of Teamsters Local 25, called on the broader community to support workers if a strike occurs.
“This is a union town. Teamsters don’t cross picket lines, and neither does Boston,” Mari said. “If our members are on that sidewalk, we’re asking every worker and every family in this city to stand with them: while they’re out, stay out.”
Original article: https://www.yogonet.com/international/news/2026/08/21/126011-encore-boston-harbor-workers-vote-to-authorize-strike-as-wynn-contract-nears-expiry
