For Immediate Release

SCRAP PDX WORKERS MAKE CHOICE TO UNIONIZE

Nonprofit’s Board of Directors and Leadership Voluntarily Recognize Union

SCRAP Creative Reuse, a national nonprofit focused on inspiring reuse and sustainable solutions for creative materials, announced today that its eleven employees have voted to unionize with the support of the organization’s Board of Directors and Leadership.

By unionizing with ILWU Local 5, SCRAP Creative Reuse workers will continue to be aligned with the goals and mission of the organization to uphold a belief in the transformative power of collaboration and community, and the urgent need to create sustainable systems in our society.

SCRAP Creative Reuse (SCRAP PDX) is a beloved local institution in Portland since 1999. The community depends on SCRAP PDX to divert materials from the waste stream and provide affordable access to creativity for artists, crafters, teachers, parents, and their children.

“We, the workers of SCRAP , believe deeply in the organization and its mission, and want it to be the best it can be so it will serve Portland for generations to come. We believe that unionization is the best step towards this goal as it serves to protect the people who are helping to protect the planet. We believe that the workers of SCRAP and the resources we provide our community deserve equal care. We show extreme care to donated material. We encourage anyone reading this who is curious about unionizing their workplace to reach out to our union, ILWU Local 5. A better world is possible and there is room for everyone in this movement.” - SCRAP WORKERS

"The volunteer board of directors for SCRAP Creative Reuse convened to vote and approve the request for voluntary recognition of its Portland workers," says Tibora Girczyc-Blum, SCRAP Creative Reuse Board Chair. "Our Board and Leadership team are genuinely focused on positively balancing the needs of our workers, volunteers, and customers while ensuring that the nonprofit business of SCRAP can meet its mission."

About SCRAP: SCRAP Creative Reuse is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with retail locations in Portland, OR; Ann Arbor, MI; Baltimore, MD; and Richmond, V A. Its mission is to inspire creative reuse and environmentally sustainable behavior by providing educational programs and affordable materials to the community. www .scrapcreativereeuse.org

Ryan Van Winkle, ILWU Local 5 President, states, "The workers of SCRAP PDX deeply believe in the organization and its mission and want it to serve Portland for generations to come. We believe that unionization is the best step toward this goal as it serves to protect the people who help protect the planet. ILWU Local 5 proudly welcomes these workers into our union!"

About ILWU Local 5: ILWU Local 5 proudly represents a broad membership engaged in the mission of reuse and environmental sustainability - including the workers of Community Cycling Center, Free Geek, Spin, Powell’s and now , the workers at SCRAP Creative Reuse! Building a sustainable future - both environmentally as well as in the context of the workplace, is at the forefront of our mission and we look forward to working together to achieve those goals, now and into the future!” - Ryan Van Winkle, ILWU Local 5 President

11/21/2024 ~ Press Release PDF