PORTLAND, Ore. — The day before Thanksgiving, workers at 11 unionized New Seasons Market locations plan to strike, while also calling for a customer boycott this holiday season.
On Nov. 27, 10 Portland locations and one Beaverton location will be affected.
The New Seasons Labor Union said that since beginning bargaining in 2023, more than 1,100 workers have been attempting to reach an agreement with the company for a contract but that New Seasons is not offering "a viable path forward," with 87% of the workers voting for a strike and holiday boycott.
At the beginning of negotiations, the union said, New Seasons told workers their intent was to offer "additional holiday bonus pay to non-union stores workers," only offering the bonus to union workers if they did not strike during the holidays.
The union added that throughout the process, the company has offered "dismal" options, such as a 25-cent starting wage hike and increasing the eligibility minimum for benefits and PTO from 24 hours to 30 a week. New Seasons also proposed the option of scrapping company-provided health insurance for all store employees, in exchange for a "marginally" higher wage.
The one-day strike, the union stated, will be averted if New Seasons meets their demand for "a wage and benefits proposal that materially improves the conditions for all workers." The deadline is set for Monday.
The New Seasons Labor Union has also filed Unfair Labor Practice charges with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).
"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,” said Jimbo Heiner, a chapter representative at the Sellwood location.
Meanwhile, New Seasons said in a statement that "we respect the NSLU’s recent call to strike," continuing, in part: "We remain committed to constructive negotiations... We encourage customers to consider shopping early to ensure they have everything they need for the holiday."
The business added that they are adding new staff benefits in 2025, including expanding financial and career counseling services, as well as voluntary life insurance plans.
Locations affected
- Arbor Lodge: 6400 North Interstate Avenue, Portland, OR 97217
- Cedar Hills: 3495 Southwest Cedar Hills Boulevard, Beaverton, OR 97005
- Concordia: 5320 Northeast 33rd Avenue, Portland, OR 97211
- Grant Park: 3210 Northeast Broadway, Portland, OR 97232
- Hawthorne: 4034 Southeast Hawthorne Blvd, Portland, OR 97214)
- Sellwood: 1214 Southeast Tacoma St, Portland, OR 97202
- Seven Corners: 1954 Southeast Division St, Portland, OR 97202
- Slabtown: 2170 Northwest Raleigh Street, Portland, OR 97210
- University Park: 6300 North Lombard Street, Portland, OR 97203
- Woodstock: 4500 Southeast Woodstock Boulevard, Portland, OR 97206
- Williams: 3445 North Williams Avenue, Portland, OR 97227
