On March 5, 2026, the workers at The Holy Donut shop on Park Ave in Portland Maine announced their intent to form a union. They made this important decision to join together and fight back against ownership’s predatory and patronizing employment practices, knowing that the only way workers have to defend themselves and their livelihoods is by building a strong, fighting union. The Independent Socialist Group (ISG) supports, applauds, and stands in solidarity with the Holy Donut workers.
The list of grievances that brought the workers to this decision is long and will be familiar to many food service workers. It includes low wages, deceitful communication from ownership and management, unsafe and unhealthy conditions, unfair labor practices, denying workers’ right to discuss working conditions and benefits, lack of benefits, fear of retaliation, inadequate staffing, and unpredictable scheduling.
Through this unionization effort the Holy Donut workers have taken strong steps towards a better life for themselves and their families where they will have a collective voice in their workplace and the ability to fight back against mistreatment from management.
In solidarity with them, ISG calls for:
- Voluntary recognition of their union by Holy Donut ownership
- No retaliatory firings, store closings, or other union-busting practices
- Unions for workers at all five Holy Donut locations in Maine
- Solidarity actions in support of Holy Donut workers from other unions, especially the unionized coffee shops in Maine
- Active community support for the Holy Donut workers
- A living wage and improved working conditions for all workers
- Expanded rent control, higher minimum wages, and other measures toward a livable Portland
- For the labor movement to help build a workers’ party that can fight against anti-union attacks on workers, that can help organize masses of workers across major industries including food service and retail.
Tell the Holy Donut owners to VOLUNTARILY RECOGNIZE the Holy Donut Workers Union here.
Independent Socialist Group 