Looking for gifts this holiday season? Buying union-made helps keep good jobs in the community, and lets you vote with your dollars for businesses that pay fellow workers a living wage with benefits. Union-made can be hard to find. Here are some ideas.
SNUG IN WINTER
- Pendleton Woolen Mills blankets (but not apparel) are made in Washougal, Washington, and Pendleton, Oregon, by members of SEIU Local 49.
DINING OUT UNION-STYLE
- Mayrose Restaurant and Bar, located on the ground floor of the Portland Hilton is staffed by members of UNITE HERE Local 8.
HOME TEAM ADVANTAGE
- Portland Thorns players are union-strong, members of the National Women’s Soccer League Players Association, AFL-CIO.
CLOTHING
- Carhartt makes some of its clothing in the USA. Check the label! UFCW Local 227 and Local 1529 represent workers at plants in Kentucky and Tennessee.
- Joseph Abboud suits and sport coats are made by members of UNITE HERE Local 377 in New Bedford, Massachusetts, and they’re available at Men’s Wearhouse, where they’ll custom tailor it for a sharp fit.
QUALITY KITCHENWARE
- Pyrex products are made in Pennsylvania by members of United Steelworkers (USW) Local 53G.
- All-Clad Stainless Steel Cookware is made by USW members in Pennsylvania.
- Cutco cutlery is made by USW members in New York.
- Fiesta brand dinnerware is made in West Virginia by members of Glass, Molders, Pottery, Plastic and Allied Workers Local 419M.
BUILT-TO-LAST BOOTS
- Danner makes about half its products at its Northeast Portland factory, where workers are represented by United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 555. Check the label: If the boots are U.S.-made, they were made here with union labor.
- Red Wing offers several styles of boots produced by workers represented by UFCW and Teamsters locals. UFCW Local 1189, for example, represents the workers who prepare the boots’ leather at S.B. Foot Leather Tannery in Red Wing, Minnesota.
SKI/SNOWBOARD ADVENTURE
- Stevens Pass Ski Resort, east of Seattle, employs ski patrollers and lift mechanics represented by United Professional Ski Patrols of America(UPSPA)-CWA Local 7781.
TO STUFF THE STOCKING
- Ghirardelli chocolates and See’s Candies gift boxes are made in California by members of Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco and Grain Millers (BCTGM). Almond Roca is made by BCGTM members in Seattle. Hershey’s and Russell Stover are union-made too.
- Tillamook cheeses are made by members of Teamsters Local 58 at the creamery in Tillamook, Oregon.
FOR THE HUNTER
- Gerber Gear knives and utility tools that say “Made in Portland” or “Made in the USA” on the blade are produced by workers represented by Machinists Local Lodge 63 at a factory in Tigard, Oregon.
THE GIFT OF KNOWLEDGE
- A gift subscription to the NW Labor Press – nwlaborpress.org/subscribe – will help friends and family keep up with the local labor movement. Staff are represented by OPEIU Local 11. It’s printed by Teamsters at the Seattle Times, mailed by Teamsters at Morel Ink, and delivered by members of National Association of Letter Carriers at USPS.
- NewsGuild-CWA represents reporters at several local and some national newspapers, including The Daily News in Longview, Washington, New York Times, and the Washington Post.
LIVE MUSIC
- Oregon Symphony and Portland Opera employ members of American Federation of Musicians Local 99, IATSE Local 28 crews, and IATSE Local B-20 members who work as ushers, ticket takers and elevator operators. Oregon Ballet Theater employs those too and also union dancers and stage managers. You’ll see those and many other local union-made live entertainment options at OregonUnionMadeEntertainment.org.
DON’T FORGET FIDO
- Milk-bone dog biscuits are made by Bakers union members. Surely your loyal dog deserves a treat under the tree?
GIFT CARDS
- Fred Meyer workers in Oregon and SW Washington are represented by UFCW Local 555.
- New Seasons just this month signed a first union contract with New Seasons Labor Union, an affiliate of United Electrical Workers.
- Powell’s Books workers are represented by members of ILWU Local 5.
HOW TO SHIP
Sending cards and packages? Ship it union with USPS and UPS, and don’t patronize antiunion FedEx. U.S. Postal Service (USPS) is a publicly-owned employer that provides nearly half a million career union jobs with benefits in every community in America. UPS is the single largest employer in the Teamsters Union, with about 250,000 union-represented employees.
