On Friday, 4 September 2026, approximately 1,300 workers at the Encore Boston Harbor integrated resort in Massachusetts walked out on strike. The industrial action was initiated by UNITE HERE Local 26 and Teamsters Local 25 after the previous collective bargaining agreement expired on 31 August and subsequent negotiations with operator Wynn Resorts failed to yield a resolution. Union members had formally voted to authorise the strike on 20 August, demanding wage increases, enhanced healthcare and pension packages, and formal job security guarantees amid macroeconomic pressures and technological disruption.
Despite picket lines outside the property, Wynn Resorts stated that the casino remains fully operational. The operator expressed commitment to finding a fair and financially sustainable agreement, while Local 25 president Thomas G. Mari emphasised that union members would not cross picket lines when fair compensation is denied. In its Q2 2026 financial report, Encore Boston Harbor recorded revenue of $209 million, representing a 3% year-over-year decline driven by a 12% drop in table games win, even as slot handle and hotel occupancy reached healthy levels.
Labour disputes continue to shape the operating environment for land-based gaming properties across the United States. Earlier this summer, all nine Atlantic City casinos signed one-year union contracts in response to regional market pressures and online competition. For traditional casino operators, rising overheads and collective bargaining disputes underscore the strategic importance of expanding into digital channels through modern turnkey casino solutions and tracking developments across US state gambling licensing and international market acquisitions.
Source: iGaming Business.