Big news: union workers at multiple locations in Pacific Northwest grocery chain New Seasons are on strike to force management to reinstate Randy Foster, a long-time New Seasons worker who was unjustly terminated last week in retaliation for his union support.
New Seasons Retaliates Against Union Officer
Management says Randy was fired for helping a visually impaired coworker complete a work task while Randy was on break. Yes, you’re reading that right: Randy was fired for helping a coworker while he was off the clock.
After almost 19 years of a spotless discipline record, Randy was targeted twice in the last two months for minor policy violations. Both were done in the service of his legally blind coworker. The final incident which led to his firing was helping his coworker close down his register while Randy was on break.
Randy is also a steward, organizer, and Treasurer for New Seasons Labor Union, the independent union of New Seasons workers. His coworkers see this firing for what it is: retaliation against Randy for his union activity.
Randy’s store immediately went on strike, with three other locations joining so far as the strike progressed. This is what solidarity looks like.
As soon as Randy was fired, New Seasons Labor Union took action, filing an unfair labor practice complaint with the NLRB. But with Trump’s staffing purge, we can’t rely on the law―even if it’s on our side. That’s why public support from people who aren’t members of Randy’s union is so important.
Not long ago, The Labor Force turned out to support Jasper Byrnes, a New Seasons worker who was fired after nearly getting hit by a Tesla while on the picket line. Jasper is still fighting for reinstatement. We couldn’t imagine that New Seasons would find a way to stoop lower than that, but the truth is, union-busting is on brand for this “progressive” grocer.
How to Support New Seasons Strikers
For two years, workers at eleven unionized New Seasons locations have been fighting for their fair share. Yet New Seasons has refused to bargain for a fair contract. Instead, New Seasons is dragging its feet through negotiations and retaliating against active union members like Randy.
In solidarity,
The Labor Force
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