Oregon Union Fights to Reinstate Ban on Self-Serve Gas in Effort to Protect Environment
United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 555, a major labor union in Oregon, has submitted an initiative to reinstate a ban on self-service fueling in the state. If the union can collect enough signatures by July, the issue will be decided by voters in November 2024. UFCW argues that self-serve gas has led to job losses, reduced accessibility, and increased safety risks, with the only beneficiaries being oil companies. The proposal would require gas station attendants at every station in the state, eliminating the previous system that allowed self-serve fueling in some rural areas. Supporters of self-service fueling view the union's attempt as a misguided power grab.