Oregon’s labor scene saw at least five union wins, two new filings and 11 labor actions in May
Oregon’s labor scene saw at least five union wins, two new filings and 11 labor actions in May — a dramatic drop in union wins and filings from April but a slight increase in labor action due to International Workers’ Day events.
In particular, May was a month of ups and downs for the United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 555. While the union held four elections at Safeway stores across the state, it only won one location. In addition, the local lost its campaign at Masami Foods Inc. when more than half the workers voted against the union.
UFCW Local 555 is also launching a recall campaign against State Rep. Paul Holvey (D-Eugene) for allegedly voting to slash workers’ pensions, abandon frontline workers and deny workplace rights.
In independent union news, several local independent unions formed an independent union federation this month — the Coalition of Independent Unions. So far, the Market of Choice Labor Union, Doughnut Workers United, Restaurant Workers of Portland and Burgerville Workers Union have joined.
New campaigns and elections
Independent union workers announced the new Coalition of Independent Unions at an International Workers’ Day event May 1. The coalition consists of the Market of Choice Labor Union, Doughnut Workers United, Restaurant Workers of Portland and Burgerville Workers Union. The New Seasons Labor Union is taking a vote on the matter.
UFCW Local 555 lost an election at Safeway in Cottage Grove when full-time and regular part-time pharmacy technicians and pharmacy clerks voted 2-1 against the union May 1.
The local then lost an election at Safeway again when pharmacy technicians at the Northeast Sandy Boulevard location voted in a 2-2 tie May 3. A tie vote automatically means a loss, as workers need a majority to vote for the union to secure a win.
Safeway pharmacy technicians again voted against joining UFCW Local 555 when only one of the three eligible workers at the Boring location voted in the election, voting against the union May 4.
Finally, UFCW secured a win when only one worker at the Southwest Barbur Boulevard Safeway pharmacy voted, favoring the union May 5.
The Market of Choice Labor Union announced it withdrew its election petition May 4, as the company contests the eligibility of 19 positions at the store to vote, claiming they are supervisory roles. The union plans to argue to the National Labor Relations Board in favor of including the 19 positions and will refile later.
Providence Home Health and Hospice workers in the Hood River and Seaside areas filed with the Oregon Nurses Association on May 5.
Starbucks Workers United in Lincoln City unionized May 8 in a 15-2 vote.
Workers organized by UFCW Local 555 lost a union election at Masami Foods Inc. on May 10 in a 25-54 vote.
Oregon Health & Science University postdoctoral staff won union representation with the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees when most of the 240 OHSU postdocs submitted union authorization cards. OHSU did not file an objection to the union application, and the Oregon Employment Relations Board certified the application May 11.
New Avenues Workers Union won its election 69-12 on May 16 — finally achieving victory after three previous union campaigns.
Teamsters Local 324, organized mechanics, welders and shop helpers, won an election at Recology Western Oregon in McMinnville with a 6-2 vote May 19.
First Student bus monitors in Coos Bay filed for a union with UFCW Local 555 on May 19.
Labor Actions
Pineros y Campesinos Unidos del Noroeste held Oregon’s annual May Day rally at the Oregon State Capitol on May 1.
The University of Oregon Student Workers Union held a May 1 action on campus to demand the university recognize the union after over 3,000 students signed union authorization cards.
The Burgerville Workers Union held a May Day picket at the convention center location to demand better schedules, more shift meal money and longer breaks as part of their contract negotiations.
The Portland Federation of School Professionals kicked off its contract bargaining at McDaniel High School with a May 1 rally demanding better pay, training and staffing.
Portland State University Urban Center Starbucks workers went on strike May 1 claiming unfair labor practices.
AFSCME-represented state workers rallied on May 16 at the Capitol Mall to highlight the sacrifices of state workers amid staffing shortages, a global pandemic, historic wildfires and cost of living and inflation increases. The workers demanded more substantial cost of living adjustments and benefits to address staffing shortages.
On May 17, hundreds of Service Employees International Union homecare workers and community members rallied at the Capitol in Salem to demand lawmakers increase hourly wages to at least $25, among other requests.
St. Charles Medical Center workers in Bend, represented by ONA, authorized a strike with an overwhelming vote from May 16 through May 21. ONA said the strike would address health and safety, unfair labor practices and the growing staffing crisis. Nurse leaders and management at St. Charles will meet for contract negotiations May 23 and May 24. If the union calls for a strike, it will give the medical center a 10-day notice.
Starbucks workers at the Southwest Oak Street location in Portland went on strike May 23. Workers say the company is permanently closing the store on June 2 in an act of union-busting. The location unanimously unionized with Starbucks Workers United on May 17, 2022.
Providence Portland and Providence Seaside nurses, represented by ONA, are launching a strike authorization vote May 24 and May 25. The union cites eight months of “contentious” negotiations and lacking responses from management as motivation for the strike. Voting closes June 4.
Negotiations
After four months and nine bargaining sessions, International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 5 says Powell’s Books management is still proposing an annual wage increase of 90 cents, which the union says won’t keep pace with inflation and is a decrease from previous contract-negotiated raises.
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