PCC Sent Two Workers Home Over Palestine Pins — Now Most of the Store Wears Watermelon Stickers in Solidarity

Puget Consumers Co-op (PCC) worker Anthony Gracian alleges he was not allowed back to work at the Green Lake Village PCC unless he removed the buttons from his uniform, including a pro-Palestine pin that served as a symbol of solidarity with those in Gaza facing genocide and with his union sibling who was forced to remove their watermelon pin last month. But last Friday, Gracian showed up to work with a union-branded watermelon sticker, a creative solution to comply with PCC’s pin policy while expressing his beliefs. 

This is the latest episode in an ongoing struggle between PCC, their workers, and pro-Palestine activists over what critics call the company’s “selective progressivism” regarding what political causes and speech it deems appropriate in the workplace. For now, with union-branded watermelon stickers spreading across stores (and buttons on their way!), it looks like the workers are on top. 

PCC did not respond to my request for comment, but several sources familiar with the situation verified Gracian’s account. 

Last month, PCC management allegedly told one worker to remove pins not approved by their union or the company. This unusual enforcement came after a customer allegedly complained about the worker’s watermelon pin, which the worker had already worn for several months.

Sources paraphrased the customer's complaint, in which they allegedly described the watermelon as a Jewish hate symbol. 

The watermelon is actually a creative way Palestinians showed their pride despite Israel’s repression. The use of the watermelon as a symbol against erasure of Palestine dates back to the Six-Day War in 1967 when Israel seized control of the West Bank and Gaza and criminalized public displays of the Palestinian flag. Palestinians skirted the ban and continued to display their national colors with the watermelon symbol.

The worker decided to remove the buttons and return to work. But community activists didn’t let the seeming political repression slide. 

In response, a group known as Boycott (BWP) organized a picket at the Green Lake Village PCC in early May. BWP has been pushing Seattle-area businesses to drop Israeli products or those from companies otherwise connected to the genocide in Gaza since October 2024. PCC became one of their main targets in December 2024. While some argue boycott efforts should focus on large corporations, such as those identified by the global Boycott, Divest, Sanction movement, some organizers have argued previously to The Burner that PCC is a worthy (and potentially more responsive) target because the company seems to care about maintaining a progressive image. 

As of last Friday, more than 3,500 people, including co-op members, workers, and other shoppers, sent letters asking PCC to allow workers to display pro-Palestine flair and to drop 8 brands connected to Israel. PCC carries wines from Barkan Vineyards and Golan Heights Winery, which are both located in territory Israel has illegally occupied since 1981. Additionally, PCC carries Sweet Earth, San Pellegrino, Vital Proteins, Essentia, Solgar, and Garden of Life — all Nestle products, owned by one of the top three largest food manufacturers in Israel, according to BWP’s infographic. 

During the recent picket, BWP activists handed out pro-Palestine pins to encourage their struggle for free expression. One organizer handed Gracian a pin version of the Palestinian flag. Upset that PCC forced his coworker to remove the watermelon pin, Gracian added the flag to his uniform. He also added a watermelon pin and one that read “Abolish ICE.”

But management eventually noticed Gracian’s new flair. Gracian said he and another PCC worker were told about two weeks ago to remove all their non-compliant pins. According to an email sent to PCC workers, “approved” pins include those issued by PCC, “UFCW 3000 buttons,” and those associated with PCC vendors. 

“We have every right to support what we believe, and I think workplaces should be able to respect that,” Gracian told The Burner. “And for me, this was a step too far. [Management has] never enforced these rules until more recently. We've been able to wear whatever we wanted, really, as long as it wasn't overtly offensive, and I don't think there's anything offensive about a watermelon.” 

Gracian refused to return to work until he could wear the pins. The next time he came to the store, still sporting his pins, he was sent home again. Eventually, Gracian just started calling in to see if PCC would let him back with his pins. 

Gracian's union, UFCW 3000, whipped out a creative solution, printing union-branded watermelon stickers. The union is still working to print these on actual buttons to comply with the pin rules that allow workers to wear “UFCW 3000 buttons,” according to an email. 

“We believe that PCC workers wearing stickers in solidarity with their coworker should be considered protected concerted activity, and we will explore all legal options in response to this,” UFCW 3000 spokesperson Rich Smith* told The Burner. 

Smith said the union “has been clear” on its stance on the “underlying issue” represented by the watermelon symbol. As early as November 2023, UFCW 3000 organized the labor movement to demand an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, “knowing full well that working people always bear the brunt of reckless wars,” Smith wrote. Then, in February 2024, UFCW 3000’s member-led executive board unanimously endorsed the “uncommitted movement,” making national headlines as an example of workers using their power to pressure then-President Joe Biden to stop the genocide in Gaza. 

Smith wrote, “As we wrote then, we represent members who are deeply impacted by the war. Those impacts haven't gone away, nor has our solidarity.”

PCC workers started sticking the union-branded watermelons on their uniforms last week. Gracian came back to work on Friday with the new swag stuck to him as well — the other worker is also back at work, but could not be reached for comment. 

Gracian estimated that about 80% of his coworkers sported watermelon stickers and the stickers are also spreading around stores across the city. 

So far, PCC hasn't cracked down on the new stickers. One worker, who spoke to The Burner on condition of anonymity for fear of retaliation, said that they don’t think the fight is over. But this show of worker solidarity may give PCC pause before making its next move.

“Before, it was just a few workers wearing watermelon pins. Now it’s like two-thirds of the store,” the worker said. “It is a visual reminder to PCC of their workers’ collective power. The smart thing would be to let us have this.” 

*Full disclosure: Rich Smith was once my boss. Famously, I am now a reporter without a boss.