The day before Thanksgiving, employees at 11 unionized New Seasons Market locations in the Portland region are going to go on strike for one day.
As contract negotiations have stalled, the New Seasons Labor Union, which represents over 1,100 grocery workers in the Portland region, claimed Wednesday’s walkout is a reaction to the grocer’s numerous ongoing unfair labor practices.
Since talks started more than a year ago, the two parties have not yet reached an initial contract agreement, and the union has accused New Seasons of engaging in bad faith negotiating. Regarding suggestions for wages, paid time off, eligibility for benefits, and holiday pay, the two parties are still very different.
According to the union, if New Seasons management offer greater pay and benefits, the grocery store might prevent the walkout.
Finding common ground has been the company’s top focus, according to New Seasons Market, which also stated that it is still dedicated to positive negotiations.
We’re making progress, but navigating first-time contacts can be challenging, the business stated in an email.
The following are the places where workers intend to go on strike:
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Arbor Lodge, 6400 N. Interstate Ave. in Portland
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Cedar Hills, 3495 S.W. Cedar Hills Blvd. in Beaverton
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Concordia, 5320 N.E. 33rd Ave. in Portland
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Grant Park, 3210 N.E. Broadway in Portland
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Hawthorne, 4034 S.E. Hawthorne Blvd. in Portland
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Sellwood, 1214 S.E. Tacoma St. in Portland
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Seven Corners, 1954 S.E. Division St. in Portland
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Slabtown, 2170 N.W. Raleigh St. in Portland
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University Park, 6300 N. Lombard St. in Portland
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Woodstock, 4500 S.E. Woodstock Blvd. in Portland
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Williams, 3445 N. Williams Ave. in Portland
Given the significance of the Thanksgiving holiday, New Seasons warned that the timing of the strike would cause problems and urged people to purchase early. Along with offering hourly employees double pay for working the day before Thanksgiving, the corporation also stated that it would take measures to keep the stores open.
Three months after employees at ten of the stores staged a one-day warning strike over comparable concerns, the walkout was announced.
The Seven Corners location’s employees became the first in the New Seasons regional chain to band together and establish a separate union in 2022. Since then, other sites have joined, but the union and the high-end supermarket have not yet signed a contract.
–Kristine de Leon uncovers tales about data enterprise, small company, retail, and consumer health. [email protected] is her email address.
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