After months of negotiation, union workers at Powell's Books, Portland, Ore., voted November 9 to reject a tentative contract agreement with the bookstore's management.
Powell's workers, represented by International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 5, have been without a contract since June, when the previous contract expired. The negotiation process began early this year and has proved contentious. In September, the union staged a one-day strike on Labor Day, and last week's decision marked the first time the union has rejected a contract since 2000, when Powell's workers first unionized.
Per a ILWU Local 5 representative, Powell's workers cited "starting wages well below a living wage" as the main reason they voted down the tentative agreement last Thursday. Workers also took issue with the pay increase an employee would receive when moving out of entry-level positions.
Emily Powell, president and owner of Powell's, said the proposal was developed in partnership with the union and represented the bookstore's "best offer." The union accepted the proposal and "committed to recommending it for a 'yes' vote. Unfortunately, a union officer then led a 'vote no' campaign against the agreement, resulting in employees rejecting the proposal."
The union reportedly has reached out to Powell's management requesting a return to negotiations, and while the bookstore has agreed to a "sidebar discussion" with the union, it has neither agreed to nor proposed bargaining dates.
Following last week's vote, Powell's has filed an Unfair Labor Practice with the National Labor Relations Board against the union. The union, in turn, has filed an ULP against the store alleging that it has attempted to silence and intimidate workers.