Active month in Oregon labor sees at least two unions win elections, nine workplaces file for new unions, and at least four unions picket or go on strike
The Cornell University School of Industrial and Labor Relations released its 2022 Annual Report on work stoppage actions in the United States in February. The western United States yet again pulled ahead in labor statistics with 166 work stoppages. That’s 67 more actions than the next highest region, the Northeast.
The growth is significant — up from 84 in 2021 — though the West had more work stoppages than other regions last year as well. The number of workers striking in the West increased from 20,900 to 68,788, still more than any other region. The West also went on strike for more cumulative days than other regions — up from 592,754 in 2021 to 821,108 days of striking in 2022.
Movements like Starbucks Workers United, which has the second most union locations in Oregon, contributed significantly to the growth.
Oregon’s labor scene continued to pick up steam in the second month of 2023, with two strikes, two pickets, two new unions winning elections and nine workplaces filing for new unions — five more than in January.
Labor laws continue to prove pesky to employers like Fred Meyer and Oregon State University, which find themselves facing allegations of illegal activity from workers.
New campaigns and elections
Starbucks Workers United continued to grow its nationwide movement’s roots in Oregon, with workers winning an election 13-to-3 at the Southeast 102nd Avenue and Stark Street store in Portland Feb. 2. On the same day, workers at the Stucki Avenue Starbucks store in Hillsboro filed for a union election.
Oregon Catholic Press employees in Portland were represented by Office and Professional Employees International Union Local 11 until Feb. 2, when workers voted to decertify the union. The union filed numerous unfair labor practice charges against the press over the years, according to NLRB documentation.
Teamsters Local 206 filed for a school bus drivers’ union at Student Transportation of America in Portland, also on Feb. 2. An election would include 48 workers.
Communications Workers of America also filed for a union on Feb. 2 for workers at software company Moovel North America LLC. Eight full-time and regular part-time engineering department employees are eligible for the election.
United Cinema Workers, which went on strike last month before announcing its union campaign at Living Room Theaters, filed with the NLRB and has an election date scheduled for March 1.
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 48 filed for a union for Rudnick Electric Signs in Canby Feb. 9.
Workers at Widmer Brothers Brewing in Portland voted overwhelmingly (38-to-8) in favor of joining Teamsters Local 162, the union announced on Feb. 9. The 54 workers represented work in brewing, packaging, microbiology and quality assurance.
UFCW Local 555 filed for a union for piercers and front-of-house staff at Black Hole Piercing & Tattoo in Portland Feb. 10
Oregon Tradeswomen workers filed for a union with the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Lodge 24 also on Feb.10.
Neighborhood Partnerships in Portland filed for a union with International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 5 Feb. 14. Management voluntarily recognized the union, which represents 11 employees, Feb. 27.
After three attempts at unionization over the past few years, 130 New Avenues for Youth workers filed for a union Feb. 16 with American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. New Avenues for Youth workers will vote later in March or in April. This filing comes after workers asked for voluntary recognition in December, which management declined.
Nearly 200 Providence healthcare workers at Providence Women’s Clinics and Providence Home Health and Hospice locations in the Portland Metro, North Coast, Yamhill County and Columbia River Gorge areas filed for a union with Oregon Nurses Association, according to a Feb. 28 press release from the union.
The two groups filed separately and will hold separate elections.
Strikes and pickets
On Feb. 2, over 600 Portland city workers represented by Laborers' International Union of North America, Local 483, went on strike after contract negotiations with the city dragged on since March 2022. The strike, which Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler claimed turned violent citing alleged reports from city staff — a claim disputed by picket attendees — ended early Feb. 5 after the union and city reached a tentative agreement.
The proposed contract includes a wage increase and is out for a vote now.
New Seasons Labor Union workers at six stores across Portland picketed Feb. 2 and Feb. 3 to protest a change in the company’s sick leave policy. The company removed paid time off and other attendance policy exemptions that were in place for employees who tested positive for COVID-19. Workers say this policy change is harmful to their safety.
Oregon Nurses Association workers at St. Charles Heart and Lung Center in Bend held a Feb. 14 rally “in support of the nearly 1,000 frontline nurses at St. Charles Bend who are working without a contract after the previous agreement expired Dec. 31, 2022,” according to Kevin Mealy, an ONA representative.
Workers represented by Laborers' International Union of North America Local 737 at CertainTeed in Portland went on strike Feb. 22 over unfair labor practices and were still striking as of Feb. 27.
Negotiations
Workers, represented by labor lawyer Katelyn Oldham, have started contract bargaining at seven New Seasons stores, represented by known union-busting firm Ogletree Deakins. Notably, they will bargain for one contract for all unionized locations, instead of individual contracts per store.
The Oregon Historical Society workers, represented by ILWU Local 5, voted to ratify their contract in late January. The contract is a two-year agreement and won workers a $1,000 bonus, a 4% cost-of-living-adjustment increase for the first pay period after the ratification, a 3.5% adjustment for the first pay period in 2024 and a 1.5% base wage increase.
Investigations
University of Oregon student workers started organizing in October 2022, however, workers said on social media they have faced retaliation from university management, including the university allegedly firing an organizer for union activity, which is illegal. If workers file unfair labor practice charges, the NLRB will investigate.
Also, Fred Meyer payroll problems continued this month. Representatives for unions and workers have filed four class action lawsuits against Fred Meyer’s parent company, Kroger, since the payroll issues began October 2022. The issue is with a software system that continues to pay workers inaccurately, including at Portland locations represented by United Food and Commercial Workers Local 555.
“Thousands of workers in Oregon have been impacted, including workers with missing or late W-2 forms, incorrect deductions, and some workers having entirely missing paychecks,” Miles Eshia, communications coordinator for UFCW Local 555, said.
UFCW has filed numerous grievances with the company and unfair labor practice charges with the NLRB. The NLRB is currently investigating those charges.
"Last month in Oregon labor" is a monthly installment by Aurora Biggers covering all things Oregon labor.
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