Portland Grocery Workers Score Big First Contract Win
Workers at the upscale grocery chain New Seasons have won a first contract, after more than three years of organizing.
The contract covers 850 workers at the 10 stores in Portland, Oregon, that have joined the New Seasons Labor Union. The chain has 22 stores in Portland and Vancouver, Washington.
The union won major raises. The lowest-paid members will see an immediate raise of 16.5 percent. More than 95 percent of members will make more than $20 an hour, with the median wage rising to $23.37. New hires will start at a minimum of $19, which will rise with annual cost-of-living adjustments.