Powell’s Bookstore Workers to Strike on Sept. 4: “No Labor” Day Strike

Powell’s Books is a bookstore chain in Portland, Oregon. With a workforce of 500 employees, it claims to be the largest independent new and used bookstore in the world. Earlier this month, Local 5 of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union voted to authorize a one-day strike on Labor Day with 92% support of the membership there.

The union said the workers at the famous Portland, Oregon institution were upset with Powell’s continued unwillingness to negotiate in good faith and come to agreement on a contract that includes livable wages and accessible health benefits for all staff. Powell’s workers last went on strike in 2003. 

The respective bargaining teams are scheduled to meet again Sept. 5 and 6, though the company issued their “last, best, final offer” — an offer that includes substandard wages and expensive health benefits — and has stated that they don’t see any reason to meet and negotiate. 

Negotiations for a new contract began in February 2023. While a number of tentative agreements have been reached, the union and the company are still at odds over several issues, most notably wages and the cost for employee health insurance. During the talks, workers have engaged customers and the community by distributing flyers outside the stores, circulating a petition online, wearing buttons during their shifts and other actions to call attention to the inadequacy of the company’s proposals. 

Powell’s workers are currently working without a contract, which expired on June 7, following a series of contract extensions. A previous version of the company’s “final offer” was rejected on June 20 at a union membership meeting. Members attending that meeting instead recommended a strike authorization vote by all Powell’s workers represented by the union — 307 booksellers and buyers, warehouse workers, marketing workers, technicians, truck drivers, and more. 

The union said Powell’s failed to provide wages that keep up with inflation in recent years, with entry level booksellers now starting at the minimum wage. On top of that, over 85% of Powell’s union workers currently make below the area’s living wage ($21.85), with many workers remaining “capped” below a living wage — including those who’ve worked for the company for decades.