Our union is dedicated to the idea that all of us deserve fairness, respect, and dignity in our occupations, industry, and community. We fight to achieve this through collective action and collective bargaining.
New Seasons Labor Union began in the spring of 2022. Workers at the Seven Corners store, inspired by the success of independent organizing at Amazon, decided to organize a new union from the ground up. Since then, our union has grown to represent over a thousand workers at ten stores.
FAQ:
What is a Union?
Whenever workers come together to advocate for themselves, they are a union. Our union was organized to coordinate a long-term fight for economic justice at our workplace through a permanent, democratic organization for collective bargaining.
What is the advantage of being in a union?
By joining together with your coworkers, you are able to exercise greater collective power over your working conditions and pay. Employers are legally required to bargain before making most changes to the wages, hours, and working conditions of unionized workers.
According to a fact sheet from the Economic Policy Institute:
On average, a worker covered by a union contract earns 10.2% more in hourly wages than someone with similar education, occupation, and experience in a nonunionized workplace in the same sector."
Learn more about the union advantage from the United States Department of Labor.
Who runs New Seasons Labor Union?
NSLU is run by its members through a democratic process: Any represented worker can attend a union meeting and vote on and raise motions to compel action by their Union. Some major decisions, like approving a collective bargaining agreement or amending the bylaws, require a referendum where all represented workers have ample opportunity to vote. Members also annually elect a steering committee from their ranks that takes executive action as needed between membership meetings. NSLU is not affiliated with or beholden to any labor federation or parent union.
Is NSLU a company union?
No, NSLU is an independent union run by its members. Company unions are illegal in the United States of America.
Why an independent union?
An independent union gives new seasons workers total control over every aspect of their union, from determining the union structure itself to deciding bargaining priorities and choosing when and where to strike. This approach works. NSLU has been the first successful union effort in the 20+ years that our employer has existed.
Does New Seasons Labor Union collect dues?
Our membership has not voted to impose dues at this time. Eventually, our members may vote to collect dues. Typical dues are less than one fifth of the wage premium commanded by union workers.
Does NSLU have an initiation fee?
No.
How is leadership elected?
When elections are ready to be conducted, each store will elect 2 representatives to serve on the Steering Committee and can also submit nominations for the other Steering Committee positions of Co-Chairs, Secretaries and Treasurers.
All NSLU members will vote to elect 2 Co-Chairs, 2 Secretaries and 2 Treasurers who will serve on the Steering Committee to represent all union stores.
For full details, see the union bylaws