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by Taylor Griggs

Staff members at Street Roots, the Portland nonprofit that publishes a weekly newspaper focused on homelessness and social justice issues, announced their plan to unionize with Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 7901. According to a union press release, 15 eligible staff members voted unanimously in favor of unionization. They’re hoping to avoid an election with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), however, and are seeking voluntary recognition from the Street Roots board. 

The union will include staff members across Street Roots’ editorial, development, vendor, and advocacy programs. The announcement makes Street Roots the third Portland news organization to form a union in 2024 alone, joining the Mercury and OPB, whose unions were each voluntarily recognized earlier this year.

A letter from the Street Roots Workers Guild to the organization’s board of directors states the staff “are motivated to form a union by our shared interest in maintaining a healthy organization.” 

“In its 25 years, Street Roots has been a place to exchange ideas, create lasting solutions to shared challenges, and generate income opportunities alongside people most impacted by social injustices. We deeply believe in that mission,” the letter reads. “We believe a union will strengthen Street Roots by democratizing processes directly impacting our workplace and community.” 

A central component of Street Roots is its vendor program, which allows people experiencing homelessness and poverty to sell Street Roots newspapers directly to readers and earn an income each week. Street Roots works with about 800 vendors every year, who can buy copies of the weekly newspaper for 25 cents and sell them for a dollar each, keeping all profits and tips. 

The vendors are technically independent contractors, and therefore ineligible for union membership. But the Street Roots Workers Guild wants to advocate for the vendors—the company’s lowest-paid employees—in its labor contract. 

“The newspaper we publish regularly sheds light on root causes and political failures that perpetuate homelessness,” the union’s letter to the board states. “Our union members resolve to positively impact the vendors who sell that newspaper each week—for the good of the entire Street Roots community.” 

Staff members are also seeking “pay equity, adequate staffing, and safety measures,” necessary to do their work. 

“Sharing in decision-making will allow us to grow a true, community-driven organization and advocate for real-world solutions,” the letter says. “Based on the factors outlined in this letter, and the board’s strong commitment to equity and social justice, we are hopeful the board will promptly and voluntarily recognize our union.”

The Mercury didn’t immediately hear back from a board representative for comment. The Street Roots Workers Guild is seeking a response from the board by December 4, and will file a request for an election with the NLRB if the union doesn’t receive voluntary recognition.