Franchising

Burgerville signs union agreement for higher wages, better working conditions

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November 15, 2021

Vancouver, Washington-based Burgerville and the Burgerville Workers Union have agreed on a labor contract at the five Burgerville locations the union represents. The agreement was reached after 51 negotiation sessions that began in June, 2018. It awaits ratification from union members and approval from Burgerville leaders.

"I am so pleased to reach an agreement that serves Burgerville employees, who are the heart of this company," CEO Jill Taylor said in a company press release. "The vision we hold is for the Pacific Northwest to be the healthiest region on the planet, and we will keep investing in Burgerville employees, the communities we serve, and the region's farmers and ranchers as one team."

The following are highlights of the agreement that will apply to all employees restaurant-wide:

• Wage increases for all hourly employees that are 25 cents/hour over the higher of Oregon or Washington's minimum wage requirement, until the starting wage is $15. Burgerville agreed to and began instituting this policy in 2019. Starting wages across the company are now $14.25/hour.
• Tipping in all restaurants, also initiated in 2019, resulting in an average increase of over $2/hour to hourly employees' incomes.
• Adding safeguards to working conditions to support employee health and wellbeing, including expanded sick leave, vacation benefits and paid parental leave.

The parties will begin the process of ratifying the agreement, which is anticipated to take place before the year's end.

"Burgerville has always valued employees and invested in their wellbeing," Taylor said. "As the first in the fast food restaurant industry to offer affordable health care to part-time employees in 2006, it's no surprise to be the first with a union contract. What a great way to celebrate our 60th birthday year. I hope the agreement will be ratified quickly and a contract signed before the end of the year."

Burgerville employs approximately 800 people in 40 locations throughout Oregon and Southwest Washington. It was one of the first fast-food restaurants in the nation to offer affordable health insurance to hourly employees, and to source more than 75% of its ingredients from regional suppliers, including nearly 1,000 Northwest family farms and ranches, according to the release.