Wynn Resorts has announced it has reached a preliminary agreement with union leaders to end the strike at Encore Boston Harbor, thus bringing a two-month labor dispute closer to resolution.
The company also hinted that major expansion plans elsewhere will be forced to take a back seat until the completion of its United Arab Emirates resort valued at a whopping $5.1 billion.
They Walked Off in September
The agreement was announced Thursday, November 5, by Wynn Resorts chief executive officer Craig Billings during the company’s third-quarter earnings call.
Union leadership has recommended the proposed deal to members, with a ratification vote taking place later that day. Financial and contractual details have not yet been disclosed.
The strike began on September 4, following the expiration of labor agreements on August 31, when roughly 1,350 union employees decided to walk off the job.
The employees demanded higher wages to a level comparable to those secured by workers at unionized hotels in downtown Boston.
The list also included protections for healthcare and existing benefits, improved job security and guaranteed working hours.
Billings described the proposed agreement as fair and financially sustainable over the long term, adding that the company was pleased with the outcome.
Not the Strongest Results
Encore Boston Harbor’s third-quarter results were weaker compared to the same period last year, with the casino generating $194.7 million in operating revenue, from $211.8 million in Q3 2025.
Table games reached a win percentage of 18.9%, down from 20.5% a year earlier, with the latest figure staying within the property’s expected range of 18% to 22%.
Billings acknowledged competitive pressures in Massachusetts, particularly from online gaming and historical horse racing, but rejected suggestions that Encore Boston Harbor had become a weaker asset.
He also pointed to the property’s economic contribution, saying the $2.6 billion development transformed a contaminated site into a major employer with approximately 3,000 jobs and more than $1.1 billion in tax revenues.
UAE Resort, Priority Over Fresh Developments
Wynn’s immediate point of focus remains Wynn Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah, the highly anticipated resort that is scheduled to open on September 27, 2027.
Wynn contributed another $62.2 million to the development during the third quarter, bringing its total investment in the project to approximately $1.12 billion. The company currently owns 40% of the joint venture behind the resort.
Billings said most project costs are now substantially locked in. The handover of completed areas to the operations team is expected to begin in stages in the new year, while recruitment and employee training are already underway.
By September, the resort had hired 442 people, mainly senior executives and management staff.
Asked about potential expansion opportunities, Billings pointed to the UAE as the company’s immediate priority. Once the resort opens, Wynn could consider further development using its available land in the region.
Texas also continues to remain a market of interest, although Billings cautioned that expansion in the United States requires careful consideration because of competition from online gaming and established regional casino markets.
Wynn’s land holdings include 166 acres in Las Vegas, 16 acres in Boston, 13 acres in Macau, and 70 acres in the UAE.