Musicians Local 99 on Feb. 20 agreed to recognize International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Local 5 as the bargaining representative for its two union staffers.
Musicians Local 99 represents about 550 musicians, including performers at Oregon Symphony, Portland Opera, and Oregon Ballet Theatre, as well as touring, TV, and movie musicians based in Portland. ILWU Local 5 represents workers in multiple bargaining units, including at Powell’s Books, Northwest Workers Justice Project, Community Cycling Center, and Free Geek.
Local 99 organizer Hunter Buen said receiving voluntary recognition was no surprise. Before Buen was hired, Local 99 Executive Secretary Treasurer Mont Chris Hubbard had suggested to office manager Shila Tatiana on several occasions in the last two years that she join a union, Buen said.
