In the heart of Berkeley, a legendary recycling haven is teetering on the brink of destruction, and it’s got nothing to do with climate change - but everything to do with workplace drama.

The Battle of Urban Ore

Urban Ore, a 44-year-old institution that has been diverting tons of materials from landfills, is experiencing an internal meltdown that threatens to tear apart its entire ecosystem. Founded by environmental evangelists Daniel Knapp and Mary Lou Van Deventer, this salvage paradise has become ground zero for a generational clash between old-school environmentalism and modern worker rights.

When Hippie Dreams Meet Labor Organizing

The conflict erupted when younger workers formed a union through the Industrial Workers of the World, citing issues like understaffing, unequal treatment, and wage instability. The owners, now in their 80s, view these demands as an existential threat to their life’s work. Sales have plummeted by 90% during the strike, and the very survival of this Berkeley institution hangs in the balance.

A Community at Crossroads

Employees are caught in a heartbreaking limbo, torn between supporting the union’s demands and fearing the potential closure of a workplace that has been more than just a job - it’s been a community. As one worker poignantly noted, “If it goes away, it’s not coming back”. The future of Urban Ore remains uncertain, with a 45-day ceasefire offering a glimmer of hope for negotiations.