Urban Ore workers in Berkeley have initiated an open-ended strike due to ongoing staffing and wage concerns that management has reportedly ignored. The movement gained momentum after a union vote in April 2023 and subsequent collective bargaining. Organizer Benno Giammarinaro cited the pandemic as a crucial factor that intensified staffing issues and amplified business revenue unexpectedly. Workers faced challenges with a complicated pay structure that left many confused during onboarding, fueling discontent and contributing to the strike initiated last week for better working conditions.
At that time we weren't fully thinking of ourselves as a union ... we didn't need an election to tell us that's what we were. But 2023 is when we had our union certification election and then we began bargaining the next month in May.
Before the pandemic annual revenue at Urban Ore was around $2.7 million, maybe a little lower. As soon as the pandemic hit, the annual revenue was $3.5 million. Thirty percent growth out of nowhere.
When everyone has their onboarding and they're told how pay works at Urban Ore, most people describe being a little confused or startled by how it's done.
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