PORTLAND, Ore. — Powell's Books and the union representing its workers have agreed to a four-year contract after nearly ten months of bargaining. They had been in contract negotiations since January.
The union representing Powell’s workers, the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 5 (ILWU5 Local 5), announced the results last week. The workers overwhelmingly voted in favor of the new contract, which includes wage increases, increased access to holiday pay, a more accessible healthcare plan, expediated promotions for entry-level positions and protection during layoffs.
The contract also includes that all employees who had been laid off in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, then rehired, will have their former paid time off accrual rates restored. Those laid off had lost accrued time off and seniority benefits, the union said.
"We're so grateful for the support, solidarity, and shared rage our community has shown Powell's workers throughout this contract campaign," ILWU 5 said in a statement.
Powell's Books confirmed the new contract Wednesday, saying that it will take effect on Jan. 1, 2024, and expire on March 31, 2028.
“We are happy to have reached an agreement with ILWU Local 5 on a contract that meets our shared interests of boosting pay and benefits for our well-deserving employees and supporting Powell's Books as one of the last and largest remaining independent booksellers to serve the community we love," said Emily Powell, president and owner of Powell Books, in an emailed statement. "Our challenges remain mighty, but we look forward to turning our shared attention to that important work ahead.”
Since January, the union has been in ongoing contract talks with Powell's, who were asking for higher wages and affordable health care. All three Powell's Books locations in the metro area closed on Labor Day as workers picketed as part of a planned one-day strike, the first in 20 years.
Employees also rallied outside the flagship store in downtown Portland after failing to reach a deal in negotiations.
In early August, workers had voted to authorize a possible strike with 92% approval amid ongoing union contract negotiations with the famous independent Portland bookstore.
In a Facebook post around that time, the union criticized an annual wage increase proposal from the company that the union said would "keep many workers below a living wage for the life of the contract," and argued that the company's proposals were worse than the previous contract.
Powell's workers have been unionized with ILWU Local 5 since 1999. The contract is the union's eighth with the company.