Summary:
- The strike was set to take place starting July 1.
- The union has been trying to get a new deal for months.
- 98% of the votes cast for the strike favored one.
Unionized employees of the Encore Boston Harbor voted last week to authorize a strike if the casino does not provide negotiations and a new contract by June 30. It seems this got the casino moving, and the Local 26 chapter of the Unite Here union reached a tentative agreement with their employer.
An Arrangement Has Been Reached
Officials with the union stated yesterday that an arrangement was reached. It is a tentative agreement and not set in stone. The union members must approve the contract before it becomes official. That vote is set for today.
Carlos Aramayo, the president of Local 26, stated that the bargaining committee reported the agreement achieves the group’s goals for a five-star contract. The union wanted a contract that was equal to or better than the standard provided to hospitality employees in Boston.
Aramayo stated further that he was happy with Encore since the Wynn Resorts company did the right thing and bargained for an agreement that guaranteed excellent jobs at the casino.
Not Happy with Pay Agreement Previously
In the past, the Unite Here Local 26 agreed to a compact with Wynn Resorts in Massachusetts that offered less than stellar payments. The Encore Boston Harbor agreed to a new contract during the COVID-19 pandemic that gave employees lesser wages than other union contracts in other areas of the city.
The current contract has a minimum rate of around $25 an hour for unionized employees. This rate was around $2 less than what other employees earned while working at other resort hotels. Tipped workers were given a minimum of $8. This is also lower than positions with other companies.
It is unclear if the wages were changed in the new agreement, but it is most likely that a deal would not have been made without raises. The agreed-upon details have not been released, but we expect the information to become available once employees approve the deal.
It was reported by officials representing the union that the deal fulfills the group’s goal of providing ‘outstanding benefits and overall compensation’ that is among the highest in the industry for the state.
It will be interesting to see if the agreement is approved and just what Encore Boston Harbor will provide. With the approval requested, the company is already looking to expand to grow its footprint south. If approved. A new sportsbook and a nightclub, theater, restaurant space, and parking garage would be created.
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