Founded in 1971, Powell’s Books is the world’s largest independent, new and used bookstore, with three retail locations and a warehouse in the Portland, Oregon area. It is a literary destination — drawing book lovers from all over the world — and a cornerstone in its community. Though Powell’s leans heavily on its status as a third generation, family-owned bookstore, its longevity and success would not be possible without us: Powell’s workers. We’re the folks who source, process, transport, shelve, sell, and ship Powell’s products; write shelf-talkers and curate displays; coordinate events; answer customer calls and emails; maintain the buildings; provide IT support; design Powell’s souvenirs; and read aloud to kids on Saturdays. We are proud of the work we do and the role we play in Powell’s success.

But many of us are struggling:

“Powell’s low wages are demoralizing. With all we have to juggle during a work day, knowing that many of us are struggling to make rent and feed ourselves is absurd. I go home frustrated, stressed out, and often on the verge of panic attacks thinking about how my labor is used. I’m taken advantage of, we all are. Powell’s workers make these stores run properly; our paychecks should reflect that.”

“I constantly have to choose between medicine, food, and rent. I can’t afford all three. If I miss even a day of work, it means I might not get to eat that week. If I can’t get medicine, I die.” 

“I am honestly terrified that I will have no choice but to start living in my car sometime this year. I cannot afford my rent at my current wage, and I can only qualify for an apartment that costs $850/month… which does not exist in Portland… I currently struggle to feed myself while also trying to help feed my coworkers who cannot afford food… Shame on the company for continuing to pay us poverty wages.” 

“A wage is not fair if only the employer thinks it's fair… We give our best selves to a company that gives us scraps and expects us to be grateful.” 

“I’ve worked at Powell’s for almost eight years. My wife and I are dual income, no kids… You say Powell’s is a family but won’t pay us enough to afford one.” 

“I am digging spare change out of every crevice of my crappy apartment because I don’t have enough money for fuel. I live off rice I buy from Winco because it’s the cheapest food I can buy. My partner and I take turns paying bills and not paying our student loans so we can keep a roof over our heads. Please, just pay me a living wage. I am one bad day from losing everything.” 

Powell’s workers have been unionized with ILWU Local 5 since 2000, and we are currently negotiating our eighth collective bargaining agreement with the Company. While we’ve reached tentative agreements on a number of contractual changes, we remain very far apart on two critical issues: wages and healthcare.

We believe Powell’s workers deserve a living wage and affordable healthcare, but the Company has yet to bring a proposal to the bargaining table that would ensure every Powell’s worker has access to both. Their most generous proposal thus far included a base wage more than $5 below the living wage for an individual in the Portland metro area; annual wage increases that wouldn’t keep pace with inflation (and are a substantial decrease from the previous contract); and healthcare options that would be out of reach for most workers under their wage proposal.

Booksellers cannot subsist on their love for the job, and neither Powell's nor their customers benefit from a workforce that's constantly turning over because the workers can't afford food, housing, or medical care. Powell's leadership has a responsibility to both their workers and their community to do better.

Let Powell’s leadership know you support a fair contract for Powell’s workers, with a living wage and access to affordable healthcare! It’s important that they know workers have the support of the community in these demands.

We’re so grateful for your solidarity!

– Union Workers of Powell’s Books

Please note: this is not a call for a boycott; it’s a call for signatures! Please sign and share!