FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - November 22, 2024.
Portland, Oregon. - On Wednesday, November 27th, workers at all eleven unionized New Seasons Market locations will engage in a one-day Unfair Labor Practice Strike in response to the company's numerous ongoing unfair labor practices.
The union is also calling for a customer boycott this holiday season. “We have always had support from our community in our fight for a fair contract, and the number one way that customers can support us now is by refusing to shop at New Seasons this holiday season, and joining us on the picket line on Wednesday” said Jimbo Heiner, a Chapter Representative at the Sellwood location.
The stores that will be going on strike and are affected by the boycott are:
Arbor Lodge (6400 N Interstate Ave, Portland, OR 97217)
Cedar Hills (3495 SW Cedar Hills Blvd, Beaverton, OR 97005)
Concordia (5320 NE 33rd Ave, Portland, OR 97211)
Grant Park (3210 NE Broadway, Portland, OR 97232)
Hawthorne (4034 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland, OR 97214)
Sellwood (1214 SE Tacoma St, Portland, OR 97202)
Seven Corners (1954 SE Division St, Portland, OR 97202)
Slabtown (2170 NW Raleigh St, Portland, OR 97210)
University Park (6300 N Lombard St, Portland, OR 97203)
Woodstock (4500 SE Woodstock Blvd, Portland, OR 97206)
Williams (3445 N Williams Ave, Portland, OR 97227)
Since beginning bargaining in 2023, more than 1,100 workers represented by New Seasons Labor Union have been attempting to reach an agreement with the company on a first contract. However, bargaining representatives from the Union say the company is not offering a viable path forward with negotiations, with the most recent proposal including a dismal increase of twenty-five cents on the starting wage, decreases to higher paid union workers, a reduction in holiday pay, and increasing the eligibility minimum for benefits and PTO from 24 to 30 hours a week. In the previous session, the Company proposed a one-wage model that would cut the wages of 50% of their employees by setting everyone at $20 an hour, or gave the option to entirely get rid of company-provided health insurance for all store employees in exchange for a marginally higher wage. The Company also told the Union at the bargaining table that they intended to offer additional holiday bonus pay to non-union stores workers but were set on only offering this to union workers if they waived their right to strike during the holidays. At some stores, workers have collectively delivered letters to management decrying rumored labor cuts including 40% hour reductions and layoffs to large portions of the workforce.
“We have made our best effort to offer the company numerous ways to avert a strike by ceasing their unfair labor practices and offering our members a deal that meets their needs, yet they refuse” said Ava Robins, Co-Chair of New Seasons Labor Union.
To avert the strike, the company must meet the union’s demand for a wage and benefits proposal that materially improves the conditions for all workers. The union has provided the company with a Monday deadline for this response. “We hope that the company realizes the urgency and importance of providing a meaningful economic response, and acts in good faith, to allow us to avert a strike,” said Ella Meloy, a Bargaining Committee Representative for New Seasons Labor Union.
The Union has filed Unfair Labor Practice charges with the National Labor Relations Board recently, as well as prior charges for unilateral changes to terms and conditions of employment, refusal to furnish information, and coercive rules and statements, among other charges. In response to these issues, workers across all union stores overwhelmingly voted, at 82%, to authorize a strike, in addition to calling for a customer boycott. Customers can find out more at NSLU.org/community.
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Press Contacts:
Email: nslucommunications@gmail.com
Ava Robins, Co-Chair: 781-971-3402
Aspen Heintze, Secretary: 503-933-3695
NSLU.org
