For Immediate Release

SCRAP ANN ARBOR WORKERS JOIN THE UNION!

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 four employees in Ann Arbor, MI (SCRAP A2) have joined the already unionized locations of Portland, Oregon and Richmond, Virginia under the umbrella of Portland based union, ILWU Local 5. SCRAP’s Board of Directors and Leadership were in full support of workers' decision to unionize.

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 (previously known as The Scrap Box) is a beloved local institution in Ann Arbor with origins in the community going back to 1983. Local artists, teachers, and creatives from all walks of life depend on SCRAP Ann Arbor to divert materials from the waste stream and provide affordable access to those materials - along with the helpful and friendly support from SCRAP’s wonderful staff.

“We, the workers of SCRAP, believe in SCRAP’s mission of arts accessibility, creative reuse, and community care. Our choice to unionize stems from the belief that care for the planet must extend to the people. We want to see SCRAP A2 succeed in its goals of supporting creativity, sustainability education, and environmentally-friendly crafting for generations to come. Similarly, we believe that unionizing will help our jobs at SCRAP to be more sustainable, both for ourselves as well as all workers in the future.” – Workers of SCRAP Ann Arbor

“SCRAP Creative Reuse’s Board of Directors approves the voluntary recognition of our Ann Arbor team’s decision to unionize. Our people are paramount to the success of SCRAP and the board will continue to support the team as best we can.” – Christina Lee, Board Chair

“Leadership is committed to supporting those who bring our mission to life while shaping a future where creative reuse ignites environmental responsibility, community connection, and possibility. Through this commitment, we continue to expand the impact of reuse as a powerful force for sustainability and imagination.” – Kimberly Maruska, National Executive Director

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, VA. Its mission is to inspire creative reuse and environmentally sustainable behavior by providing educational programs and affordable materials to the community. www.scrapcreativereeuse.org

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 workers across the nation at SCRAP Creative Reuse, now including Ann Arbor! Building a sustainable future - both environmentally as well as in the context of the workplace, is at the forefront of the union’s mission. www.ilwulocal5.com