Encore Boston Harbor Strike: 1,300 Workers Fight for Fair Wages on Labor Day

Labor Day weekend festivities in Massachusetts are being marked by significant labor unrest in the gaming sector this year. Since early Friday morning, more than 1,300 employees of the Encore Boston Harbor luxury casino have been on strike. The workers, organized under Teamsters Local 25 and UNITE HERE Local 26, walked off the job at 7 a.m. on September 4. They are protesting outside the resort gates in Everett against what they describe as a lack of appreciation and inadequate contract offers from casino management.

Although the resort has officially stated that operations will remain functional, images from the site show a determined picket line. Nancy Campbell, an agent for Teamsters Local 25, emphasized the symbolic importance of the protest on the American holiday dedicated to labor. Instead of hosting family cookouts, workers are standing on the line to fight for their rights. The response on the picket line has been described as phenomenal, with local politicians including the Mayor of Everett stopping by to show support for the striking workers.

Numbers and facts

The lines in this labor dispute are firmly drawn. A central point of contention is the discrepancy between corporate success and employee compensation. According to union data, Encore Boston Harbor took in approximately $847 million in revenue in Boston last year. In contrast, workers are demanding wages that meet the standards of the Boston hotel industry. Management counters that the average compensation and benefits package for union members already exceeds $95,000 per year.

"Encore is one of only five five-star resorts in New England. And to be clear, it hasn’t earned its reputation because of the building. It earned it because of the people who work inside of it, and they’ve been lucky to receive and maintain the five-star status, paying two-star salaries as far as I’m concerned." - Nancy Campbell, Teamster Local 25 agent

In addition to higher wages, the unions are demanding improved health insurance coverage, pension security, and general job protections. James Atkins, lead gardener and chief steward at Local 25, made it clear that they will not accept a contract that blatantly disrespects their labor. The strike is intended to continue as long as it takes to secure a fair deal.

Background

Preparations for this labor action began back in August when union members voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike. The previous contract with owner Wynn Resorts expired on August 31. Because no agreement was reached within a 48-hour window following the authorization, the strike commenced. According to Campbell, there has been no communication from management since the walkout began. A casino spokesperson stated, however, that they remain committed to finding common ground that is fair and financially sustainable to protect jobs in the long term.

The situation at Encore Boston Harbor is not an isolated event. Just a few days later, on September 9 and 10, further critical strike votes are scheduled in Boston. Nearly 2,000 nurses at Boston Medical Center (BMC) are preparing to authorize a strike. Their issues similarly involve wages, staffing levels, and workplace safety. The trend toward large-scale strikes in the service and healthcare sectors is visibly increasing in the US, driven by high living costs and record profits in the respective industries.

Why it matters for German players

For German players, a strike in the US has no direct impact on gaming operations in domestic online casinos. However, this conflict demonstrates the importance of stable labor relations in the gambling industry. In Germany, the market is strictly regulated by the State Treaty on Gambling 2021 (GlüStV 2021). Anyone wishing to play safely in Germany should exclusively choose providers listed on the official whitelist of the Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder (GGL). These licenses guarantee not only fair gaming conditions but also that operators adhere to strict social standards and oversight.

Unlike the often opaque conditions overseas or with providers from Curacao or the MGA, the German license provides clear guardrails. The deposit limit of a maximum of 1,000 euros per month via the LUGAS system and the 1 euro per spin limit on virtual slots serve to protect players. Playing with a GGL-licensed provider supports a system that ensures the integrity of companies toward their customers and society through state supervision.

What it means for GGL-licensed casinos

German casino operators with a GGL license monitor such international developments closely as they affect the reputation of the entire industry. While the battle for wages in the land-based sector rages in the US, the German market focuses on compliance with technical guidelines and player protection measures. A strike at a giant like Wynn Resorts serves as a reminder that even in the digital age, the people behind the service remain the decisive factor for quality. For German providers, this means that transparency and social responsibility are increasingly perceived as quality marks in a competitive market.