PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Workers at a Portland-area grocery chain plan to launch a strike just ahead of Thanksgiving.
On Friday, the New Seasons Labor Union announced that staff at multiple stores throughout the city are set to participate in a Unfair Labor Practice Strike on Wednesday, Nov. 27 — one of the busiest days for grocery shopping this year.
The union reported the strike comes after New Seasons Market has committed “numerous ongoing unfair labor practices.” According to a statement from NSLU Co-Chair Ava Robins, the company has “refused” to offer employees a deal that would prevent the strike.
Along with the one-day strike, the 1,100-member labor organization is asking shoppers to boycott the chain throughout the 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,” Sellwood Chapter Representative Jimbo Heiner said in the announcement.
These 11 locations will be affected by the strike, which received 82% approval in the authorization vote.
Workers at 10 of these 11 stores, all but the University Park location, most recently launched a one-day strike in early September.
The employees first began unionizing in 2022. Since then, union members have alleged New Seasons has offered just a $0.25-cent increase on starting wages while reducing benefits like holiday pay.
The chain previously told KOIN 6 it made multiple efforts to reach an agreement with the union.
KOIN 6 has reached out to the company for an updated statement.
