After Labor Complaints, New Seasons Workers Get Hearing Date With NLRB

The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has scheduled an April 18 hearing with New Seasons Market in response to filed complaints alleging unfair labor practices, according to the United Food & Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 555, one of the unions that represents New Seasons Market workers.

Local 555 filed complaints against New Seasons in July 2022 alleging “coercive statements” were made in the lead-up to the union election at the Orenco Station store, during which workers voted 60-37 in opposition of the union. “The ballot count was affected by the unfair labor practices the company committed in the election process,” alleges UFCW Local 555 president Dan Clay. “New Seasons must be held accountable for threatening and lying to workers; failure to do so undermines both these workers and the principle that workers deserve rights in their workplace.”

In a statement to Eater Portland, a New Seasons spokesperson wrote: “New Seasons Market disagrees that it engaged in any alleged unlawful conduct described in the NLRB complaint, which is particularly evident given that 90 percent of eligible Orenco Station staff participated in the election and overwhelmingly voted against union representation. In the upcoming hearing on these matters, we look forward to further demonstrating that New Seasons Market acted in a lawful manner and that overturning the election is not warranted.”

Should the NLRB find in favor of Local 555 during the April hearing, it could result in another election at the store. A number of New Seasons locations have voted for union representation with the New Seasons Labor Union, including Slabtown, Seven Corners, and Grant Park.

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Updated Wednesday, January 18, at 9:30 a.m.: This story has been updated to include information about the New Seasons Labor Union.