Poker Writer
Encore Boston Harbor workers could go on strike in the coming weeks after voting to authorize one. About 1,350 workers at the casino resort north of Boston, represented by the Teamsters, could refuse to work during negotiations for a new contract. The workers’ contract with Wynn Resorts expires at the end of the month, on Aug. 31.
The Encore Boston Harbor resort is located in Everett, Massachusetts, and relies on these workers to continue to function. If no deal is reached by the end of the month, disruption of operations could follow.
Workers Asking For Fair Compensation
Many of the workers at Encore say they prefer not to strike, but have no choice while Wynn Resorts continues raking in profits and while their working conditions do not improve. Teamsters members vowed that they would not cross picket lines, referencing the strong union town culture that exists in Boston.
One of the workers and a member of the Teamsters Local 25 said:
We’re proud of what we built at Encore, and we take pride in the work we do every day. We work hard to make this company successful, and we believe we deserve a fair contract that allows us to provide for our families.
They argued that fair wages would benefit the community as a whole as well. The money would quickly go back into the local economy and benefit many other entities.
Encore Boston Harbor Poker Room
Encore Boston Harbor does have a poker room with 36 tables. It’s one of the more popular poker venues on the East Coast. Dealers and poker room workers would likely be involved in a strike, which could affect poker operations.
Most reviews of the Encore Boston Poker Room say that the rake is very high, among the highest in the country. But some say that the size of pots and the lower quality of play can make up for the high rake.
Other Recent Casino Strikes
There have been a few other recent examples of casino workers going on strike. Horseshoe Indianapolis went on strike in October 2025, but the poker room remained unaffected.
One of the largest casino strikes in recent memory was the strike across multiple casinos in Detroit. Almost 4,000 employees refused to work in October 2023. The strike lasted 47 days for MGM and 34 for Penn Entertainment.
Image credit: Parkerjh/Wikimedia Commons (license)
