Burgerville’s Convention Center Location Unionizes After Reported Union-Busting

Burgerville’s union election streak continues: The Burgerville location at the Oregon Convention Center has officially unionized. On Thursday and Friday, 67 percent of employees voted by secret ballot to join the country’s first federally recognized fast food workers union.

Last month, employees of the Montavilla and Oregon Convention Center Burgerville locations signed a petition requesting voluntary union recognition. Afterward, employees of the Convention Center location reported rampant union-busting and repercussions, including firings and suspensions. Burgerville employee Morrisha Jones drew the most public attention: After arriving for work without her name tag, she was suspended without pay. She was eight months pregnant.

After the workers at these locations spoke out in a Willamette Week piece, Burgerville rescinded its punishments against the Convention Center location’s employees. Last Friday, they officially joined the union in an election facilitated by the National Labor Relations Board.

Five Burgerville locations have officially unionized at this point, with two winning recognition last week: The Montavilla location voted to join the union on Wednesday. The Burgerville Workers Union returns to the bargaining table April 10.

• Burgerville [Official]
• Burgerville Workers Union [Facebook]
• The Burgerville at the Center of Last Fall’s Button Ban Controversy Unionizes [EPDX]
• Burgerville Backs Down After Story Breaks Detailing Alleged Union-Busting [EPDX]
• Workers at Portland’s Busiest Burgerville Say Managers Are Trying to Bust Their Union [WWeek]
• Behind Portland’s Fight for Unionized Fast Food Restaurants [EPDX]