Workers at the Old Town Voodoo Doughnut store are now part of an officially recognized federal union. Doughnut Workers United (DWU), which represents workers at Voodoo Doughnut won their union election Tuesday, September 27th with 16 votes in favour and six votes against.
Workers seek a contract to secure livable wages, better work conditions, better healthcare options and consistent scheduling. Additionally, the union hopes the forthcoming contract will address the company’s hiring and firing practices.
“One of our big things we’re aiming for is to get rid of at-will employment,” says DWU’s Samantha Medina. “This company has a long history of abusing their power when it comes to that. … We want to give everyone a fair and equal chance to continue on with this company.”
Voodoo Doughnut workers who were the first to join unionization have had to fight for it. started organizing in March 2020. Workers called the company in 2021. voluntarily recognize their union. When Voodoo failed to do so, the union filed a petition to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) — the June 2021 vote It produced a tie which resulted in the union not being granted certification. The Old Town workers filed for election at the NLRB for a second time on August 1, 2022.
“Over the last two years, workers have been organizing diligently to get to this point of a second union election!” a Facebook post From DWU. “Despite constant pressure and union busting from Voodoo Doughnut; despite inhumane working conditions in record breaking temperatures; despite faulty, unsafe, and poorly managed equipment on the restaurant floor; despite illegal firings of workers; we have stuck to it, kept our chins up and shoulders back, and we’re here to see this through once again!”
Voodoo Doughnut is accused of engaging in union busting techniques, such as removing union information from work, intimidating employees by closed-door conversations, and hiring new employees, instead of rehiring workers who had been furloughed during the pandemic. illegally firing seven workers Who walked out during the record-breaking heatwave of June 2021.
In a statement to Eater Portland following the election, the company said that “Voodoo always has been and will continue to be a unique place to work that is centered around our people and the product they serve,” but that they were disappointed in the election results.
“We’re disappointed that the employees at our Old Town, Portland, location chose to have a third party speak on their behalf as we continue to believe working directly together is the best for our employees,” the statement to Eater Portland reads. “However, we respect our employees’ right to organize and will continue to operate in good faith moving forward.”
DWU launched a new website the day after the election. GoFundMe Fundraising to help workers in contract negotiations.
As more information becomes available, this story will be updated.
from Salem – Salem Local News https://bit.ly/3RrT9wS
via IFTTT
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.