![At the bottom of the third inning, the Lions are still scoreless. Rowe stands at home plate, preparing to bat, while Vandenbrink stands off to the side as the next batter up. Despite having the bases loaded, the team was unable to score any runs. “It’s just the beginning of the season. We’re just going to be playing out best by June, [and] that’s where champions are,” Rowe said.](https://wlhsnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/IMG_3077-1200x900.jpg)
![All smiles. The group poses for a photo with last year’s book, “This is Our House,” along with their award for third Best in Show. Meikle, who was an Editor-in-Chief for the yearbook last year as well, holds both and stands at the center of the group. “That was an amazing feeling, going and grabbing the third place award,” Meikle said. “All of it paid off. I cried so much over that book, being able to receive [the award] was one of the highlights of my high school career, it was like the coolest thing ever.”](https://wlhsnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/8bookpose_philly-1200x800.jpg)
Walking out of their jobs and into the street with signs, New Seasons employees protested for better workers’ rights on Wednesday, Nov. 27 at their Sellwood location in Portland, Oregon.
New Seasons Labor Union was founded in 2022 and the first store to join was Seven Corners. As of right now, there are 11 locations of New Seasons Market around Portland, OR currently on strike. The strike is categorized as an Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) strike, meaning the workers don’t work and try to slow down the business to prove their importance to the company.
Jimbo Heiner, chapter representative at the Sellwood New Seasons location, founded the strike at this location along with the rest of the employees.
“We show our strength by standing here for long hours and to demonstrate they need to meet our demands,” Heiner said.
The demands are the cost of living adjustments, living wage, and Paid Time Off (PTO).
“People are unable to get paid when they are sick leading to workers not requesting time off when it is necessary,” Jimbo said.
The current minimum wage is $16.25 per hour and for the Portland metro area, it starts at $15.95 an hour. To add, they demand a seat at the table.
“We demand that New Seasons obey federal law and bargain with us before implementing any changes to wages, hours, and working conditions,” said the New Seasons Labor Union Website.
Workers protested despite the protest taking place near the holidays.
“We understand that many are doing last minute holiday shopping, but there are many other stores that are available and that we support such as Safeway and Winco,” one said.
Some strike workers empathized with customers for the delay, but it was also intentional.
“Yes it is the day before Thanksgiving, but that is why we are holding this strike, to reduce business when there are many customers,” another anonymous worker said.
Overall, the strike received support from the public and locals, with cars honking and people walking by with fists in the air.
Over 1,000 workers are determined to have a fair contract that meets their needs. Just at this location, strike workers have been at the front doors starting at 7 a.m. and continuing until the store closed at 10 p.m.
This Labor Union has an Instagram account and a website with a committee to update workers and supporters for upcoming events.
