Oregon labor sees at least 12 union wins, nine workplaces file and nine labor actions
Oregon’s labor scene saw at least 12 union wins, nine filings and nine labor actions in April — more than double the wins, more filings and more labor actions than in March.
Notably, the New Seasons Labor Union continued its hot streak and added an eighth unionized location to its membership. The State Senate passed two key bills for labor rights, educators ramped up demand for better contracts, and over 3,000 university student workers filed for a union.
New campaigns and elections
Student Transportation of America workers in Portland won a rerun election to join Teamsters Local No. 206 on April 4. The vote was 22-13.
Nurses at Legacy Mount Hood Medical Center in Gresham voted to unionize with the Oregon Nurses Association on April 5, adding 360 workers to the 16,000 workers ONA represents statewide.
On April 7, Matheson Tri-Gas scheduled route drivers in Tualatin filed for a union with Teamsters Local 162.
REI workers in Eugene filed for a union with the United Food and Commercial Workers union local 555 on April 10. The company also announced this month that it is closing its downtown Portland location amid an active union campaign. REI claims the closure is due to increased theft.
Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center discharge planner nurses in Corvallis voted to join ONA in a 7-0 vote on April 11.
Joining the wave of university workers organizing, over 3,000 student workers at the University of Oregon filed a card check petition to form an independent union on April 11.
Portland Baroque Orchestra instrumentalists and librarians filed for a union with Musicians Union Local 99 on March 29, and the orchestra voluntarily recognized the union on April 13.
Oregon Health & Science University post-doctorate workers filed for union on April 13 with the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees.
Wood Mechanix workers, organized by the Pacific Northwest Regional Council of Carpenters Local 1503, lost their election in a landslide vote of 100-5 on April 13.
Fang! Pet and Garden Supply and Salty’s Pet Supply, organized through the International Longshore and Warehouse Union ILWU Local 5, requested voluntary recognition for their union.
The owner “immediately” recognized the union on April 13, according to ILWU. Fang! and Salty’s are reportedly North America’s first unionized pet and garden supply stores.
Providence Home Health and Hospice workers across the Portland Metro and North Coast regions unionized with ONA with an overwhelming 123-31 vote on April 14.
Over 1,000 Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center healthcare workers filed on April 21 to unionize. Technical healthcare workers filed with ONA; others filed with the Service Employees International Union Local 49.
Ashland Starbucks workers voted to join Starbucks Workers United in a 13-10 vote on April 21.
Providence Women’s Clinic nurses across Portland Metro locations voted to join ONA and the American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO in a 14-1 vote on April 21.
Recology Western Oregon workers in McMinnville filed for a union with Teamsters Local 324 on April 24.
Schnitzer Steel Industries workers in Eugene filed for a union with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 280 on April 25.
Providence Medford physicians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants voted to join the Pacific Northwest Hospital Medicine Association 17-0 on April 25.
The New Seasons independent labor union garnered yet another win, with Hawthorne workers voting 33-22 for the union on April 26. This is the eighth New Seasons location to unionize independently in less than a year.
Friends of the Children workers in Portland still await a response after asking for voluntary recognition of their American Federation of Teachers-Oregon affiliated FriendsPDX Union Network union. The union is circulating a petition encouraging the board to support a fair election.
UFCW Local 555-organized pharmacy technicians and pharmacy clerks at Safeway in Grants Pass voted against joining the union 5-0 on April 27. UFCW also lost its pharmacy campaign at Albertsons in Klamath Falls 4-1 on April 28.
Portland State University Urban Center Starbucks workers won their union election 14-0 on April 28.
Strikes and pickets
Portland State University adjuncts held a rally for fair pay with their union, the Portland State University Faculty Association, on April 6. The union is currently negotiating a contract with the university, and workers say they teach approximately 40% of PSU classes but only account for 10% of the school’s payroll budget.
Maletis Beverage workers in Portland, represented by Teamsters Local 162, went on strike on April 10, citing bad faith bargaining. Early the next day, workers returned to work without any negotiations.
Woodburn Education Association teachers held a rally on April 19 to give the district a last chance to negotiate fairly after working on contract negotiations for nine months. Workers say they may go on strike without any movement from the district.
The Portland Association of Teachers held a rally due to poor contract negotiations with the Portland Public Schools district on April 27.
Providence Seaside Hospital Nurses, represented by ONA, held an informational picket on April 27 to raise awareness for the need for adequate staffing, improved health care standards for nurses, patients and the community, competitive wages and child care assistance and passage of HB 2697 as they negotiate a new collective bargaining agreement.
The University of Oregon Student Workers Union held a rally on campus on May 1 to demand the university recognize the union.
Burgerville Workers Union picketed on May 1 at the convention center location to demand better schedules, more shift meal money and longer breaks as part of their contract negotiations.
Portland Federation of School Professionals had a bargaining kick-off rally at McDaniel High School on May 1 to demand better pay, training and staffing.
Starbucks workers at the Portland State University Urban Center location walked off the job on May 1 and are on strike due to unfair labor practices.
Unfair Labor Practices
According to the Burgerville Workers Union, the company fired two union activists this month. The union is arguing that both terminations are a violation of the contract.
“Burgerville currently has multiple ULPs ranging from illegal firings, unilateral changes to working conditions, illegally offering benefits exclusively to nonunion shops, surveillance of workers organizing, denying Weingarten rights, intimidation for union activity,” organizer Mark Medina said.
In March, the union settled a grievance in favor of a former employee to the tune of $12,000 for — among other violations — reportedly racist practices by the former general manager.
Potbelly sandwich workers delivered paperwork to management requesting voluntary recognition of their union, Portland Restaurant Workers, on Jan. 11. Medina said the company disciplined workers for concerted activities and fired two organizers. Medina said this is a tactic to “delay the vote and attempt to rob shift leads of collective bargaining rights.”
Legislation
On April 11, the Oregon State Senate unanimously passed Senate Bill 418 — a bill that ensures workers who were injured on the job and received workers’ compensation do not have to use vacation or sick time to get related medical treatment.
On April 13, the Oregon State Senate also passed Senate Bill 907, which prohibits employers from discriminating against employees or prospective employees who refuse to expose themselves to severe injury or death from hazardous work conditions.
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