Burgerville Workers Went on Strike Amid Button Ban Controversy

Two Burgerville locations went on strike yesterday protesting the company’s decision to ban buttons, the Portland Mercury first reported. Workers at both the Montavilla Burgerville and the 92nd and Powell locations picketed in response to Burgerville’s decision to reinstate its proposed ban on buttons, which inspired the union to file unfair labor practice charges with the National Labor Relations Board late last week.

“Not only are unilateral changes to policy illegal during contract negotiations, but by breaking a commitment made during negotiations, Burgerville failed to bargain in good faith,” a press release from the union read. Emmett Schlenz, a representative from the union, told Eater PDX that the employees would be returning to work today. He confirmed that the choice to picket yesterday, on “National Cheeseburger Day,” was very much intentional.

• Burgerville [Official]
• The Burgerville Worker’s Union [Official]
• BVWU [Facebook]
• Burgerville Employees Were Sent Home for Wearing ‘Abolish ICE’ Buttons [EPDX]
• Burgerville Workers Just Became the First Officially Recognized Fast-Food Union [EPDX]