Just after New Year's, Grand Central Bakery workers in NW Portland were told that the retail cafe was to be closed on March 31st and they would be laid off. Café workers, some with 5 or more years with Grand Central, were saddened by the news and asked to be able to fill open positions elsewhere in the company.  They were told they would not be assisted in moving to open positions. 

On January 16th, cafe workers, joined by coworkers from other departments and a dozen community supporters delegated the owners of Grand Central to demand they meet with affected workers, negotiate over the layoffs and provide opportunities for hire into open positions in the company.  Grand Central cafe workers expressed their hope to stay the company and continue to have a future with Grand Central by being hired into open positions.

In spite of having open positions at other locations, Grand Central did not act to retain long term employees.  Instead, one week after the delegation, Grand Central Management, retaliated against organizing café workers and abruptly shut the café two months ahead of their publicly announced closure date.  On Friday 23rd workers filed changes with the National Labor Board for Grand Central Bakery’s clear retaliation against café workers exercising their right to organize around the affects of layoffs.  Grand Central workers are continuing to organize and demand that those laid off workers are given a chance for a future in the company. 

We are asking for support from our community to stand with Grand Central Workers.  We want to make it clear that the laid off workers should be treated fairly and the rights of all Grand Central Workers should be respected.