New Seasons strike on Thanksgiving eve, union calls for holiday boycott

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — News Seasons locations are gearing up for a busy Wednesday before Thanksgiving, but there’s a catch: Several of their employees are going on strike.

On November 22, workers organized a union with the New Season Labor Union announced plans to strike on the eve of the big holidayand alleged the company committed “numerous ongoing unfair labor practices.”

In addition to the one-day strike, the 1,100-member union is calling on shoppers to boycott the chain over the holidays.

“In our fight for a fair contract, we have always had the support of our community and the best way for customers to support us now is to refuse to shop at New Seasons this holiday season and join us on Wednesday to join the strike line. Sellwood Chapter representative Jimbo Heiner said in the original announcement.

In response, New Seasons announced that it would remain open during regular business hours of 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Wednesday despite the demonstrations, claiming that “many stores will not be affected.”

“New Seasons Market employees are the heart of our company and we respect NSLU’s right to engage in this protected activity, which is common practice in collective bargaining. “We remain focused on minimizing disruption so we can provide our customers with the service they have come to expect from New Seasons Market,” a New Seasons spokesperson said. “We have always valued the passion of our employees and the enforcement of their rights.”

However, NSLU members recently claimed the company had “refused” to offer employees a deal that would prevent the strike.

These 11 locations will be affected by the strike, which received 82% support in the approval vote.

• 6400 N Interstate Ave, Portland, OR 97217
• 3495 SW Cedar Hills Blvd, Beaverton, OR 97005
• 5320 NE 33rd Ave, Portland, OR 97211
• 3210 NE Broadway, Portland, OR 97232
• 4034 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland, OR 97214
• 1214 SE Tacoma St, Portland, OR 97202
• 1954 SE Division St, Portland, OR 97202
• 2170 NW Raleigh St, Portland, OR 97210
• 6300 N Lombard St, Portland, OR 97203
• 4500 SE Woodstock Blvd, Portland, OR 97206
• 3445 N Williams Ave, Portland, OR 97227

Stay with KOIN 6 News as this story continues to develop.