The labor landscape at Portillo's is seeing a shakeup with workers at the company's Aurora food service facility voting to unionize, adding a second location to the growing list of unionized spots for the popular dining chain. In a recent election overseen by the National Labor Relations Board, workers at the food prep site decided 23-16 in favor of partnering with the International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental, and Reinforcing Iron Workers Local 853, as per Chicago Tribune.
In response to these developments, Moises Zavala, an organizer with Arise Chicago, praised the unity of the workers amidst the company's alleged intimidation tactics, "Despite the company's intimidation, the workers stayed united to raise their collective voice," Zavala shared in a statement reported by Chicago Tribune. "Their yes vote represents their desire for a better standard of living for themselves and their families." Meanwhile, unfair labor practice charges that include allegations of wrongful termination, coercement, and interrogation at both Aurora and Addison facilities are still being investigated by the NLRB.
Ironworkers Local 853 has seen a rallying cry from members at both the Aurora and Addison sites, with the former group filing for an election on the same day members at Addison issued their request for the company to recognize their union according to an announcement rooted in the support and strength of the worker's movement touted by Anahi Tapia, Union Organizer who told PRNewswire, "The unity between the two facilities has been inspirational," and continued to explain the growth of the movement in Addison and the subsequent support from Aurora peers.
Amidst calls for Portillo's to engage in bargaining with the union, the company remains firm in its quest for a new election, holding onto claims that the initial voting process was tainted by undue promises to employees. Hank Hunsell, a general organizer with the Ironworkers, criticized Portillo's for not acknowledging the NLRB's decisions against their appeals and said, "Portillo's is doing all it can to block the workers' union," Hunsell revealed as detailed in a PRNewswire report.
