Earlier this month, GamblingNews reported that workers at the Encore Boston Harbor property in Massachusetts had announced a strike, following their failure to reach a mutually satisfactory agreement with the casino management. The strike did materialize and, as of the time of this writing, shows no signs of abating.
Workers’ Contracts Expired in August
The Encore Boston Harbor workers’ discontentment with the management reached a boiling point on September 4, when the strike erupted. As mentioned, it came after unionized casino workers, which include drivers, valets, cashiers, attendants, and cooks, among others, failed to negotiate better working conditions.
The workers, who are members of Unite Here Local 26 and Teamsters Local 25, had voted in favor of a strike days earlier. Their demands include hourly pay increases of $10 over four years and starting base pay of $25 an hour, as well as healthcare and pension benefit guarantees.
Back when the strike was announced, Encore employees emphasized that they wish the casino management to recognize their hard work. Workers also asked locals to stand with union members and honor the picket line.
For context, the union members’ bargaining contracts expired on August 31. Following the expiration of these contracts, workers were left with little choice but to protest.
The Strike Has Been Going for 20 Days
The strike, which includes over a thousand employees, has now been running for 20 days. A video shared by Teamsters Boston on Facebook shows what appear to be hundreds of people marching on the street. The organization was pleased to announce that the initiative has been supported by many locals.
Day 20 on strike for Encore workers. HUGE amount of support for these striking workers!
Teamsters Boston
The strike also received support from UFCW Local 1445, which said: “UFCW LOCAL 1445 Supporting the STRIKING WORKERS at ENCORE CASINO. We call on management to settle this contract with UNITE/HERE LOCAL 26 and TEAMSTERS LOCAL 25.”а
Wynn Resorts, which operates Encore Boston Harbor, previously spoke with Casino.org on the matter. The company insisted that it remains committed to supporting its workers, but said that their demands must be “grounded in financial reality.” Wynn added that the wages at the casino have outpaced the average increase in consumer prices in Boston and said that a sustainable agreement must reflect the actual performance of the business, lest layoffs happen.