Help Blue Star Employees Fight Union Busting
Donation protected
**Urgent need for aid for 6 furloughed workers at Blue Star Donuts in Portland, Oregon**
Blue Star did not voluntarily recognize the employees’ wish to form a union, so it will go to a vote on January 17, 2024. Since filing their intent to unionize, Blue Star management has engaged in extremely concerning behavior that we believe may amount to intentional union busting activities including multiple Unfair Labor Practices, for which 3 charges have been filed with the National Labor Relations Board.
On December 27, all workers in the Wholesale Kitchen (which brings in most of Blue Star’s profits) returned to work after the Christmas holiday to find out they were being furloughed indefinitely due to some of their donut bites being returned by the distributor. This came shortly after the Unfair Labor Practice charge was filed, and it is worth noting that all Wholesale workers were vocal union supporters who wore union buttons every day.
We believe this action was taken in an attempt to demoralize and scare workers from voting to unionize in their imminent election. This furlough, given with less than a week’s notice, has thoroughly disrupted their lives, as most of them live paycheck-to-paycheck and can’t afford to miss even one paycheck. In addition we want to support any other workers who may be impacted by furlough or layoff and give workers courage to keep going.
Please consider donating to make sure these employees, and any future workers impacted, can continue paying their bills and buying groceries while furloughed.
Blue Star did not voluntarily recognize the employees’ wish to form a union, so it will go to a vote on January 17, 2024. Since filing their intent to unionize, Blue Star management has engaged in extremely concerning behavior that we believe may amount to intentional union busting activities including multiple Unfair Labor Practices, for which 3 charges have been filed with the National Labor Relations Board.
On December 27, all workers in the Wholesale Kitchen (which brings in most of Blue Star’s profits) returned to work after the Christmas holiday to find out they were being furloughed indefinitely due to some of their donut bites being returned by the distributor. This came shortly after the Unfair Labor Practice charge was filed, and it is worth noting that all Wholesale workers were vocal union supporters who wore union buttons every day.
We believe this action was taken in an attempt to demoralize and scare workers from voting to unionize in their imminent election. This furlough, given with less than a week’s notice, has thoroughly disrupted their lives, as most of them live paycheck-to-paycheck and can’t afford to miss even one paycheck. In addition we want to support any other workers who may be impacted by furlough or layoff and give workers courage to keep going.
Please consider donating to make sure these employees, and any future workers impacted, can continue paying their bills and buying groceries while furloughed.
Fundraising team: Team fundraiser (3)
Milo Crane
Organizer
Portland, OR
Lydia E Hall
Team member
Zoe Shankland
Team member
