New Seasons workers from 10 Portland stores to go on single-day strike this Sunday

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Workers from 10 Portland-area New Seasons Market stores have authorized a strike for a single day on Sunday, Sept. 1, the union announced.

The strike will be happening at 10 out of the 11 unionized locations, with the University Park store not getting enough total votes to authorize the strike, the New Seasons Labor Union announced on Instagram.

Related: Fred Meyer workers announce week-long strike

The workers voted 82% in favor of the strike at locations that include Arbor Lodge, Cedar Hills, Concordia Grant Park, Hawthrone Sellwood, Seven Corners, Slabtown, Woodstock and Williams. Workers are expected to return to their normal shifts by Monday, Sept. 2, the union said.

KOIN 6 News reached out to New Seasons for comment about the strike. In response, they sent us this statement:

"New Seasons Market staff are the heart of our business, and we respect the NSLU’s recent vote to authorize the union’s leadership to call a strike. Throughout the collective bargaining process, our priority has been finding common ground while ensuring the wellbeing of our staff and customers and we remain committed to constructive negotiations, which we believe are the path to resolution. While a strike will likely impact business operations at some of our locations, we will do our best to minimize disruption and ensure those customers who wish to shop can do so. 

"At New Seasons Market, we are deeply dedicated to the well-being of our staff, and our benefits package is a testament. We offer industry-leading wages, a generous 30 percent staff discount and a comprehensive benefits package that includes a robust paid time off policy. Most hourly staff receive automatic pay raises every six months and nearly 95 percent of staff have access to significant medical benefits. New Seasons Market invests more than $13,500 in valued benefits per staff member, covering approximately 80 percent of medical, dental and prescription costs. All regular, full-time staff working more than 24 hours per week are eligible for these benefits on the first of the month following their 60th day of employment. Additionally, our 401(k) auto-enrollment ensures all staff have access to retirement benefits, with the option to adjust their deferrals as needed." 

KOIN 6 also reached out to the NSLU to get their reaction to the statement by New Seasons Market. In response, the union sent us this statement:

"After nearly two years in negotiations, New Seasons Market has not presented a single offer on wages or benefits for our coworkers. In the same time, we have filed dozens of unfair labor practice charges with the National Labor Relations Board for violations of our legal rights by New Seasons.

"As recently as 4:11 pm today, New Seasons has broken federal labor law and tried to coerce our members when they issued an email threatening us with discipline or termination for exercising our right to strike. Labor Day is supposed to celebrate the rights that generations of workers have fought to win. When those rights are desecrated, we have a responsibility to do something about it."

Earlier this month, the union said they were considering the strike due to alleged unfair labor practices.