Powell’s Books workers get closer to living wage

It looks like “third time’s a charm” at Portland-based Powell’s Books, the only large bookstore in the United States that is unionized.

Powell’s workers joined the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) in 1999, but it took several short strikes in 2000 and 2004 to get an acceptable first and second contract. The third time around, union and management struck a deal, in three months of bargaining, that makes noticeable progress toward the workers’ original goal in unionizing — to secure a living wage in an industry that serves up plenty of jobs but few careers.

Members approved the contract by a wide margin in mail-in ballots counted Oct. 27. Over the four-year contract, wages for the store’s 400 union employees will rise 3.5 to 8 percent a year, with lower-paid workers getting the biggest raises, and the average worker getting 4.5 percent a year. By comparison, annual raises were 6 percent in the first contract and 2 percent in the second contract. At the end of the previous contract, workers averaged $12.59 an hour.

“This is how contract negotiations are supposed to go,” said Local 5 President Ryan Takas. “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.”

Several items are somewhat unusual in the contract, including a one-third TriMet bus pass subsidy for employees who use the bus; $80 a year toward bike tuneups for employees who bike to work; and $400 a month toward daycare for employees with children.

The company will continue to pay most of the cost of health insurance; employees currently pay 16 percent ($58 a month) toward the premium, or $135 for family coverage. The employee contribution will rise to 20 percent over the life of the agreement.

To celebrate the new contract, employees will take part in a “Buy Union” rally Nov. 2 at 5:30 p.m. outside Powell’s Technical Books, 33 NW Park Ave.