More grocery workers strike in Portland, Oregon

New Seasons Market grocery workers in Portland, Ore., staged a one-day strike on Sunday. 

It came at a time when over 4,500 Fred Meyer employees were staging a week-long strike in Portland.

The New Seasons protest impacted 10 of the 11 stores in the area and is the result of a contract stalemate with New Seasons. The New Seasons Labor Union said they have been trying to work with the grocer to improve wages and benefits for almost two years. 

The union has filed several unfair labor practice charges and has accused New Seasons of threatening to discipline or terminate employees who strike. 

“New Seasons has broken federal labor law and tried to coerce our members when they issued an email threatening us with discipline or termination for exercising our right to strike,” the New Seasons Labor Union said in a statement. 

New Seasons Market said it has had a number of meetings with the union and tentative agreements have been put into place. 

The grocer also said the unfair labor practice claims have been dismissed by the National Labor Relations Board or withdrawn. 

“We respect and support the rights of the NSLU and our staff to engage in protected activities, such as strikes,” New Seasons Market said in a statement. “We will continue to address our staff’s concerns.”