Council votes 8-0 to back Encore strike workers

Select Board · Meeting of October 6, 2026

MALDEN — The Malden City Council voted 8-0 to formally back striking Encore Boston Harbor workers and approved new ordinances creating a Solid Waste Enterprise Fund and a Reserve and Stabilization Fund Framework. Encore cook Almond Pierre told councilors "one job should be enough for Malden families," while sponsor Councilor Taylor called the vote "really important" to stand with residents. Councilor O'Malley said Encore's casino license was conditioned on pro-labor commitments the company has "abandoned." The Finance Committee chair said the city's trash collection program runs roughly a $2 million subsidy out of $3.8 million in annual expense, which the new enterprise fund is meant to track separately from the general fund.

The council also enrolled an ordinance moving water bill inspections from annual to monthly and referred an 11-position Assistant Department Head Salary Schedule to committee. The consent agenda, approved 7-0, placed Jim Tarr's Planning Board appointment on file.

In the full story:

• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report — 2,559 words

Source: the Select Board meeting of October 6, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.