Portland Burgerville workers vote to unionize

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – Workers at a Burgerville in Southeast Portland have overwhelmingly approved the formation of a federally recognized union.

The Oregonian/OregonLive reports employees of the chain’s Southeast 92nd Avenue and Powell Boulevard location voted 18-4 in favor. Three workers abstained from voting. Workers cast ballots at the restaurant during a two-day election, which ended Monday night.

Organizers say the victory makes it the first federally recognized fast-food workers union in the country.

The results, overseen by the National Labor Relations Board, will now legally require Burgerville to negotiate with the store’s workers, who have pushed for a wage increase, affordable health care and other benefits.

Burgerville spokeswoman Beth Brewer says the company supports the workers’ decision.

Burgerville has about 1,500 employees in Oregon and southern Washington state.

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Information from: The Oregonian/OregonLive, http://www.oregonlive.com