Encore Boston Harbor Cashiers Join Teamsters in Union Push

Workers at Encore Boston Harbor have taken a significant step toward securing a stronger collective voice. 85 cage cashiers at the Everett casino voted almost unanimously to be represented by Teamsters Local 25, adding their ranks to the 140 Teamsters already employed at the resort. While all high-profile casinos in the Las Vegas Strip are unionized, nationwide membership is on the decline.

Unionization Will Help Employees Secure Better Working Conditions

Announced on Tuesday, the move highlights a growing pressure for organized labor across the US casino industry. At Encore, cage cashiers interact with customers by exchanging chips for cash, a demanding role that requires accuracy, speed, and concentration. The workers now say that they are ready to bargain for fairer pay, better benefits, and a seat at the negotiating table. 

Tom Mari, president of Teamsters Local 25, applauded the decision, adding that the union was ready to pursue further improvements for working conditions. Meanwhile, employees were optimistic that the move would help everyone on the job build a better future. Mari lauded the new union members’ resolve, pledging Teamsters Local 25’s full support.

These workers fought long and hard, determined to win a strong voice on the job. All of us at Local 25 are ready to make sure these new members get the industry-leading pay and benefits they deserve.

Tom Mari, Teamsters Local 25 president

Local 25 represents more than 13,000 members throughout the Boston region. Its influence extends well beyond the workplace, with political clout that makes it a force in Massachusetts campaigns. The union has proven its ability to stand its ground even against industry giants like Wynn Resorts, ensuring its members receive adequate wages, benefits, and job security.

US Labor Movements Face Growing Challenges

The Encore development coincides with a turbulent period for labor unions across the USA, particularly in gaming. In August, Las Vegas’ powerful Culinary Union announced that, for the first time in its 90-year history, every major casino on the Strip had unionized. This landmark achievement came even as tourism numbers in the city dropped this summer, underscoring the stability union protection can provide even in leaner seasons.

The broader national picture is more complicated. Union membership outside Las Vegas continues to decline, and political pressure against labor rights remains intense. In March,  President Donald Trump signed an executive order restricting collective bargaining rights for certain federal workers, spurring legal challenges from unions. Meanwhile, more than two dozen states have adopted “right-to-work” laws that weaken unions’ bargaining power.

Against such a backdrop, the success of Encore Boston Harbor demonstrates labor resilience in service-dominated sectors. Casino workers continue to seek recognition that their roles are as essential to the industry’s success as the high-rolling customers and expensive marketing campaigns. For Local 25, the addition of the Encore cashiers sends a message to other non-unionized groups that they have a fighting chance against corporate opposition.