The New Seasons Labor Union (NSLU) grew by 125 workers Dec. 9 when workers at the Woodstock New Seasons Market in Southeast Portland voted 80-18 to join, and another 110 members Dec. 13, when Grant Park store workers voted 72-22 to join.
NSLU has now won four elections since filing its first union petition with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) in May. Woodstock and Grant Park join stores at Seven Corners (1954 SE Division St.) and Slabtown (2170 NW Raleigh St.). The Sellwood store (1214 SE Tacoma St.) is the only one where workers rejected NSLU representation so far.
The Woodstock election was the first to take place in person, breaking the pattern of vote-by-mail. The NLRB has been returning to holding in-person elections after moving virtual during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Woodstock campaign also drew the highest voter turnout, with about 78% of eligible workers casting ballots.
Elections were set to take place for one more New Seasons location in Northeast Portland the week of Dec. 12, after this issue went to press. Campaigns are also underway at North Portland and Cedar Hills New Seasons locations, but election details haven’t been set. Â
