A labor dispute at Encore Boston Harbor has entered its third week, with more than 1,300 employees on strike as unions push for higher wages, improved healthcare and greater job security.
The strike began on Sept. 4 after negotiations broke down between Teamsters Local 25, UNITE HERE Local 26 and the Everett casino operated by Wynn Resorts.
Teamsters Local 25 represents 211 Encore employees, including limo drivers, traffic attendants, valets, cage cashiers, guest experience attendants, warehouse workers, horticulture staff and call center employees. UNITE HERE members include housekeepers, cooks, servers, bartenders and slot attendants.
The unions are seeking wage increases over three years of $10 per hour for non-tipped workers and $5 per hour for tipped workers. The casino has offered less than half those increases, according to the unions, The Boston Globe reported.
Hourly workers can earn between $15 and $32, while tipped workers earn less, according to the unions’ comments to the newspaper. The unions said wages at Encore have not kept pace with those at other Boston-area hotels.
The strike has drawn support from local leaders from both parties, while the Boston and Everett city councils unanimously passed resolutions supporting the workers last week.
The unions have also urged customers to stay away from the casino during the dispute.
“Don’t book the rooms. Don’t play the tables. Don’t make the reservation,” UNITE HERE said in a message posted on its website.