EVERETT, Mass. — Hundreds of Encore Boston Harbor employees went on strike Friday, calling for higher wages, benefits and job protections after months of contract negotiations between the casino and two unions.
The striking workers include waitstaff, housekeepers, drivers and other employees who gathered outside the Everett casino with picket signs, drums and megaphones.
Kathleen Woodard, who works in Encore’s public areas department, said the rising cost of groceries and other household expenses has made it increasingly difficult to make ends meet.
“It’s horrible,” Woodard said. “Every week I go to the grocery store, and I don’t have anybody I have to support; it’s just me, and every week I’m like, oh my God, it just went up another $50. What the heck? It’s really getting tough to live.”
Woodard said she also worries about families struggling with the cost of child care and other expenses.
“I can’t imagine what people with little kids are doing with daycare and school just started,” she said. “I feel horrible for them, but I’m here for them too.”
Woodard’s job includes cleaning the casino floor, back-of-house areas and resort spaces. She said employees are seeking compensation that reflects the demands of their work.
The unions are seeking wage increases of $10 an hour over three years for non-tipped employees and $5 an hour over three years for tipped workers.
The two unions involved voted in mid-August to authorize a strike following months of negotiations. Union officials say Encore’s offers amount to less than half of what workers are seeking.
“We do not understand why workers at a five-star casino should make less money than workers in a Hampton Inn,” Laura Moye, the Executive Vice President of Local 26 said. “It just does not make sense to us.”
Workers also said they want to see greater benefits for the surrounding community, citing promises they say were made when the casino opened.
“The casino’s been open for seven years. They promised benefits,” said Moye. “We want to see the benefit. The communities out here, we want to know where our benefit is.”
Three years ago, the same union workers came close to striking before reaching an agreement at the last minute. Union officials said they are seeking to maintain benefits and job-security protections established in that agreement.
Laura Moye, who is the executive vice president of Local 26, and Woodard said workers believe their demands are reasonable.
“We’re going to strike until we win,” Moye said.
“I don’t think any of us are greedy asking for that amount,” Woodard said. “I think we are just trying to survive.”
Encore Boston Harbor has said it will remain open during the strike and continue negotiating with the unions in good faith.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
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