. Mark Medina, a representative from the union, told Eater PDX that he was confident the ratification would be passed with a very high margin, and that union leaders had been in touch with members throughout the entire process. However, he says the union will continue to fight even if they decided to reject the contract, though that remains unlikely. “I think it will be an up-vote with a large majority, but if [the union] votes it down I’m just here to help,” he says.
One major sticking point for the union, Medina says, was that of tip collecting at unionized Burgerville stores, contractually obligated to start within 30 days of ratification. He explained that after tipping was implemented at the Lloyd Center location, take-home wages averaged around $22 to $25 an hour., it was by no means a clear end to the fight. “We got these concessions through seven boycotts and showing our strength, but this is just a first step,” Medina says.
To him, and other union organizers, it extends beyond Burgerville. While the contract will be the first of its kind — as Burgerville remains the country’s only federally recognized fast food workers union — they hope it will inspire other workers across industries. “We wanted to set an example for other workers,” Medina says. “And hopefully they won’t have to wait three-and-a-half years for it.”