National Labor Relations Board Rules in Favour of Voodoo Doughnuts Workers

On October 6, 2021 NLRB found merit in and are reaching a settlement to bring back Voodoo Doughnut staff who were fired during a strike in June of 2021

Portland, OR — On October 6th, 2021, Doughnut Workers United-IWW (DWU) received word from the National Labor Relations Board that 7 of the 9 striking workers who were terminated will have their jobs reinstated with back pay upon the conclusion of our most recent Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) charge against Voodoo Doughnut. DWU was informed that two ULPs have settled in the union’s favour. These ULPs include charges concerning topics of managerial surveillance, the posting of union information in communal work spaces, workers entering the building off the clock, as well as the recall of seven of the nine terminated workers who were fired for going on a health and safety strike around the growing concerns of temperatures inside the restaurant, knowingly in direct violation of the national labor law.

In June of 2021, twelve workers went on strike due to growing concerns of temperatures inside the Old Town location of Voodoo Doughnut. Workers informed Voodoo Doughnut of the strike, which lasted for two days during Oregon’s record breaking heat wave where temperatures rose to, or above, 115 degrees. The goal of the strike was to protect workers’, while simultaneously encouraging the company to address the growing concern around these dangerous working conditions. As each striking worker returned following the heat wave, they were terminated on the bogus accusation of workplace abandonment.

The company was well aware that their actions were illegal retaliation. Despite Kora Drexler, the general manager, telling workers they could leave if they were concerned about the extreme heat, and despite Celise Ellis, the company’s HR representative, being informed by a community delegation of the illegal nature of their actions, Voodoo Doughnut has chosen to keep both incompetent members of corporate staff employed. This shows a company unwilling to listen, unless forced to, regarding even the most reasonable of demands.

“DWU’s goals have always been to provide mutual aid to all Voodoo Doughnut staff in need, improve work and safety conditions, negotiating with the company towards a living wage, and creating a democratic workplace environment where the workers’ voices are heard and valued. These are moral and just goals, and Doughnut Workers United would like to thank our community for all of your continued support! We are all the working class, and together we can build a better future for us all!” said DWU member Mark Medina