FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - August 10, 2024.
Portland, Oregon. — Workers at New Seasons Market (NSM), represented by New Seasons Labor Union (NSLU), will vote whether to authorize a one-day strike over unfair labor practices.
“This vote would empower us to take decisive action. New Seasons Market must acknowledge our resolve and end their unfair labor practices,” said Janet Shek, NSLU Co-Chair.
Strike vote ballots will be sent out to the roughly 1,130 workers represented by New Seasons Labor Union at 11 New Seasons Market locations. The voting period will run from August 15, until August 25. The vote will be conducted via electronic secret ballot.
New Seasons Labor Union and New Seasons Market have been engaged in collective bargaining since January of 2023. The Company has refused the Union's requests for mediation as a means of working through impasses between the two parties.
The Union has filed Unfair Labor Practice charges with the National Labor Relations Board for bad-faith bargaining, unilateral changes to terms and conditions of employment, refusal to furnish information, and coercive rules and statements, among other charges.
“We’ve been waiting for the company to give us a contract for almost two years,” said Cat Jessee, a member of the Steering Committee from the Cedar Hills store. “Many of our coworkers are unable to make ends meet and cannot afford to keep waiting for living wages or worry about losing their jobs to a punitive attendance policy which does not offer any consideration for the real-life situations impacting our lives. We’re ready to take action to show New Seasons Market that we’re prepared to fight for ourselves and each other," she continued.
The date for a potential strike has not been announced. Customers can find out more at NSLU.org
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Press Contacts:
Email: nslucommunications@gmail.com
Ava Robins, Co-Chair: 781-971-3402
Hans Heintze, Secretary: 503-933-3695
NSLU.org
