EVERETT, Mass. — A massive strike has been averted after labor unions that represent workers at Encore Boston Harbor in Everett struck an agreement on a new contract with Wynn Resorts, officials announced Thursday.
Workers who are members of UNITE HERE Local 26 and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 25 reached a tentative deal Wednesday on a new union contract after an hours-long bargaining session and agreed to suspend their impending strike, which was slated to go into effect Friday at midnight.
The agreement “meets and even exceeds” the union standard in the hospitality industry, and it achieves all of the union’s goals for a five-star contract, with five-star wages, excellent benefits, and job security, according to Local 26 President Carlos Aramayo.
“We congratulate Encore Boston Harbor for showing leadership in the hospitality industry and bargaining a contract that guarantees workers at the resort will have excellent wages and benefits,” Aramayo said in a statement. “We are glad that a strike will be avoided and that a spirit of partnership has prevailed. Our members are excited to continue providing five-star service to the resort’s guests with a five-star contract.”
Last week, the unions voted to authorize a strike, demanding more respect in contract negotiations that had been ongoing for four months.
The strike would have impacted an array of workers at the resort casino, including room attendants, cocktail servers, bar porters, cooks, dishwashers, public area cleaners, and drivers
Encore opened its doors in June 2019 with the first contract for union workers expiring in April 2023.
The new agreement is subject to ratification by the union membership on Friday. Additional details on the terms of the contract are expected to be released when this happens.
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