Update- 2/4: Union members say they've ended the strike after entering "mediated conversations about Randy’s reinstatement" with management.

Workers at the Arbor Lodge New Seasons continued their strike into a seventh day on Monday, in an effort to reinstate lead cashier Randy Foster. Until last Tuesday, Foster had worked at the grocery store for 19 years. His stated offense: violating Oregon break law by working on his lunch break to assist a coworker.

“Mikey [another New Seasons worker] is legally blind, and has a really long commute home. If he’s late it can be really dangerous for him.” Foster said. “It’s not a written policy, but it has been common practice for months to let Mikey go home a few minutes early to catch his MAX train if it’s not too busy. That day I clocked out for my lunch and noticed it was about that time, not busy, so I stepped behind his register, closed it down, and that was it. Took all of about 20 seconds. In my entire 19 years here I had never been written up for anything aside from helping Mikey.”

Coworkers of Foster and Mikey Munns were outraged. They believe Foster was terminated for trying to help a colleague. Foster, who is treasurer of the New Seasons Labor Union (NSLU), was fired January 28 at the start of his 1:30 pm shift. By 3:15 pm his coworkers walked off the job, printed flyers, and began picketing outside the store.

“A week later, they’re still out here,” Foster said. “My coworkers, customers, and so many people I didn’t even know.”

Since the strike started at Arbor Lodge, New Seasons workers at four other unionized stores have walked out in support of the demand to “reinstate Randy”: Seven Corners (1954 SE Division), Slabtown (2170 NW Raleigh), Grant Park (3210 NE Broadway), and Concordia (5320 NE 33rd).

“Everybody loves Randy [Foster], he’s really a staple in the community for workers and customers at Arbor Lodge,” said NSLU co-chair Ava Robins, who works at the Concordia store that voted on February 3 to join the strike. Robins says Foster was fired “under dubious circumstances.”

"This really just goes to show that for us, an injury to one is an injury to all," Robins added. "We had to be willing to fight back to protect each other."

During Sunday’s picket line at Arbor Lodge, workers circled the parking lot entrances in icy weather, while others took breaks to warm up around a fire burning in an oil drum. The parking lot was empty most of the day.

Foster paced the sidewalk outside the store holding a sign reading: "New Seasons Fired Me! Ask Me Why."

Munns, the coworker Foster was allegedly fired for helping, joined his colleague on the picket line.

“Sunday is our busiest day,” Munns said, gesturing to the empty parking lot. Munns has worked as a cashier at New Seasons for 10 years. On Sunday, he donned a bright green “Reinstate Randy" button.

“New Seasons must see that we’re making an impact. It’s heartwarming seeing so many people come out and show support," he said. "A lot of people love Randy, and a lot of people are pissed off. I’m one of them.”

Munns says over the past decade, he’s seen several coworkers lose their jobs “for minor infractions."

“If I’m honest, I’m worried they’re going to do that to me,” Munns said. “Even more so since I’ve been vocal. But I’m proud of it. I’m proud of us.”

A New Seasons Market spokesperson declined to answer questions, noting the company doesn’t comment on individual personnel matters, but emphasized the company’s “commitment to handle terminations with a fair and consistent application of all company protocols.”

“There haven’t been too many people who crossed our picket line,” Foster told the Mercury. “My goal is not to have my coworkers get angry at [those who cross], but to engage them. I want them to see my face. I want to be able to tell them what happened, because people mostly have compassion.”

For Foster, his termination was a shock, but ultimately in line with what he describes as a deterioration in management’s relationship with staff since he started working for the “Friendliest Store in Town” in 2006. In 2019 the grocery chain was purchased by the South Korean discount chain store company E-mart and its subsidiary, Good Food Holdings.

“I know New Seasons isn’t some locally owned store anymore, but this job has always been wonderful for me,” Foster said. “I have a community here, coworkers and customers I’ve built relationships with for years and years. I’m truly mystified as to why they’d choose to take some small technical violation of policy to such a wild extreme.”

During the strike, managers and human resources personnel have kept the stores open, citing a “business as usual” focus, but some locations have closed early due to strike activity.

NSLU first won a union election at the Seven Corners location in September 2022. Since then, the independent union has grown to represent more than 1,000 workers at 11 New Seasons Markets across the Portland-metro area, just over half of all New Seasons stores. 

The company began bargaining with the union more than two years ago, but workers still don’t have a labor contract. The two entities recently clashed when workers went on strike at all unionized locations the day before Thanksgiving. NSLU then called for customers to boycott all New Seasons stores until they reach a fair first contract.

The union and company are next set to bargain on Wednesday, February 5.

The union’s pending contract includes a stipulation that would have prevented Foster from being terminated on a whim.

A typical standard in labor union contracts is a “just cause” clause that stipulates any discipline on the job must be progressive discipline with due process and equal treatment that holds up to independent investigation. NSLU and New Seasons Market have tentatively agreed to just cause in bargaining, however, management has not implemented the policy since a full contract has not been signed. 

NSLU asserts Foster’s firing was unjust and has filed an unfair labor practice complaint with the National Labor Relations Board. On January 31, three days after the strike began, New Seasons offered to meet with Foster and a union representative the day of bargaining to discuss the union’s complaint. New Seasons set a deadline to reply by the following morning. While NSLU confirmed they replied before the deadline, as of Monday February 3, New Seasons has not responded to assure the meeting.

“Since I started at New Seasons [the company] told us, ‘Do the right thing, always,’” Foster said. “In the end, that’s all I was trying to do. I want New Seasons to just hang on to what their long-stated values are.”

New Seasons Market declined to answer questions, but provided the following prepared statement:

“New Seasons Market has long been recognized as a progressive employer, offering competitive pay and benefits. We believe this supports our commitment to providing a workplace where our staff can thrive. As such, we’re dedicated to fostering a supportive work environment, and we respect the protected rights of our staff across stores to demonstrate.

We understand that team changes can be challenging for everyone involved, and we approach these situations with a deep sense of empathy and responsibility. In accordance with company policy, we do not comment on individual personnel matters, however it’s our commitment to handle terminations with a fair and consistent application of all company protocols. Any suggestion that staffing decisions are influenced by union affiliation or advocacy is unfounded.

“We’re currently focused on maintaining business as usual, although some stores will close early due to activity. We’re also awaiting our upcoming collective bargaining session with NSLU, which is scheduled for February 5. We’re engaging in good faith negotiations to reach an agreement that aligns with our company's values and supports the well-being of our staff.”