Encore Boston Harbor Reports 28 Percent EBITDA Margin as Unions Schedule September 1 Strike Announcement
TL;DR — Unions at Encore Boston Harbor plan a September 1 strike announcement after contract expiration on August 31. The authorization vote was 1,006-53 among 1,350 workers. The property posted $236.7 million EBITDA on $846.9 million revenue for a 28% margin in 2024.
SCCG Take — Strong margins have not prevented labor tension in this Northeast market. Operators must weigh wage demands against operational continuity to protect handle and customer access.
Unite Here Local 26 and Teamsters Local 25 will announce a specific strike start time outside Encore Boston Harbor on September 1 at 6:30 p.m. if Wynn Resorts fails to meet contract terms. The labor agreement expired August 31. An authorization vote passed 1,006 to 53 on August 20.
Approximately 1,350 workers would participate. The unions plan picket captain and line formation training in English and Spanish after any announcement.
Property Financial Results
Unions cite $847 million in annual revenue. The actual 2024 figure was $846.9 million against $236.7 million EBITDA, producing a 28 percent margin. EBITDA was $257.4 million in 2023, $243.4 million in 2022, $210.1 million in 2021, negative $23.8 million in 2020, and $23.1 million in 2019. The property opened June 23, 2019.
Unite Here President Carlos Aramayo said workers delivering five-star service receive a contract worse than one at a Hampton Inn. EBITDA margins between 10 and 15 percent are generally considered good.
Contract Negotiations
The unions seek wage increases of $10 per hour over four years, a $25 hourly starting minimum for all staff, preserved health benefits, and pension guarantees for older workers. The unions represent housekeepers, cooks, servers, bartenders, slot attendants, and warehouse personnel at the $2.6 billion property in Everett, Massachusetts.
According to Casino.org, the two unions will proceed with the September 1 event unless a fair contract is reached beforehand.
Reporting: Casino.org News
Generated by SCCG’s automated editorial system from published source reporting. SCCG Management holds editorial responsibility.
Strong financials won't prevent a labor stoppage if wage gaps remain — customer access and handle are now at risk.
We've guided operators through labor crises across every regulated market. A 28% margin is exceptional, but 1,006-53 authorization tells you workers aren't buying the prosperity story. September 1 isn't a bluff — it's a deadline that could shut customer access and crater handle at a $2.6 billion asset.
- Strike authorization passed 1,006-53 among 1,350 Encore Boston Harbor workers; announcement set for September 1
- Property posted $236.7M EBITDA on $846.9M revenue in 2024 — a 28% margin well above industry norms
- Unions demand $10/hour raises over four years and $25 minimum wage; contract expired August 31
SCCG angle: SCCG has placed senior operational and HR leadership in union-heavy markets and knows the contingency playbook. If you're running a property with similar margin pressure and contract cycles, we connect you to labor counsel, interim staffing strategies, and comms teams who've managed strikes without torching brand equity or customer trust.
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