A Third Burgerville is Filing for Union Recognition | Eater Portland

"Employees at the Hawthorne Burgerville location are pushing to join the country’s first federally recognized fast-food workers union: earlier today staff presented the company with a petition to be recognized as members of the Burgerville Workers Union and have given Burgerville until the end of the week to voluntarily recognize them before contacting the National Labor Relations Board for a potential election. An election would likely be a snap for pro-union employees, since 80 percent of Hawthorne workers signed the original petition. “Burgerville corporate likes to say that they’re excited to work with the union and listen to us workers,” said James Curry, and he framed this as the company’s chance to do the right thing and prove it. The group’s initial contract demands mirror other Burgerville efforts and call for a $5 hourly raise, assured protections for undocumented workers, and better health care. The relationship between the union and Burgerville’s corporate team has been contentious, with strikes, walkouts, and protests over issues such as the right to wear political buttons at work." - Alex Frane