Tentative Agreement Reached with Powell's!

VICTORY ANNOUNCEMENT

    ILWU Local 5 Bargaining Team gives the “thumbs up” for a third contract at Powell's Books, Inc.

    The workers of Powell's Books, Inc. organized under the banner of ILWU Local 5 in 1999.  In 2000, after 11 months of hard bargaining and a grueling campaign for union recognition, the first contract was ratified.  In 2003, after 9 months of bargaining and much of the same contention that marked the first campaign, a second contract was ratified.  In July 2007, ILWU Local 5 went to the table for round three of contract negotiations with Powell's Books, Inc. but this time, it was different.

    Three months later, the Company and Union have reached a tentative agreement on the third contract at Powell's Books, Inc., with virtually no take backs or losses.  The proposed contract includes: wage increases of 4.5% per year for the average worker and over 7% per year for the lowest paid workers in the bargaining unit, improvements on health care, 401K, life insurance, sustainable transportation subsidies, union access and union rights.

    Over the next month, the Union bargaining team will hold information sessions in preparation for the ratification vote.  The Union bargaining team proudly endorses the contract as a step forward for Local 5 and the workers of Powell's Books, Inc.


    “This is how contract negotiations are supposed to go.  Two sides come together and reach an agreement that moves workers' wages and benefits forward, towards a living wage, and allows the company to remain profitable.  I think a lot of other corporations could stand to learn from Powell's example in these negotiations..”
        -Ryan Takas, Chief Negotiator


    “The ease of these negotiations wasn't  free.  We had to fight like hell the last 7 years to get us to this point and in future contracts, if it doesn't go as well, we are prepared fight again.”
        -Kristi Lovato, President of ILWU Local 5

Want to know more about the details of the tentative agreement? 

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