Forgive us our trespasses
(… and we’ll forgive those who’ve trespassed against us)
To protest abuses at Dosha Salon Spa, protesters from Portland Jobs With Justice briefly occupied Aveda Institute Portland Feb. 7.
The two businesses share an owner. Dosha workers voted March 2011 to unionize, but the company has continued to persecute union supporters, including several who were fired.
Though Aveda managers called police during the takeover, no arrests were made.
But afterward, they filed charges, singling out CWA Local 7901 president Madelyn Elder and Portland Jobs With Justice activist Laurie King, among the 80 or so protesters.
On April 2, Elder and King pled guilty to second degree criminal trespass and second degree disorderly conduct.
“Having acted in support of workers rights to bargain collectively, she will accept the consequences,” attorney Noah Horst told the community court judge for each case.
Each was sentenced to 16 hours of community service.
Several weeks earlier, Dosha settled out of court a series of charges with the National Labor Relations Board, paying $7,000 to a fired pro-union employee, Mary Christ, but admitting no wrongdoing.
