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New York, NY – The Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU) announced the ratification of first union contracts at three New York City Barnes & Noble stores.
“Workers at Barnes & Noble should be incredibly proud of what they’ve accomplished together in these historic first union contracts. United in their fight for increased safety in their stores, it was their voices among others across our union that won increased protections for everyone in the industry through the Retail Worker Safety Act. Today, we can finally say those safety protections are codified in their union contracts, which also include industry standard setting wage increases, union healthcare, and more. A union is the only way to ensure workplace protections are secure – especially now, while laws protecting workers are under attack. This shows fair contracts can be reached in a reasonable time; if only REI could take a page out of Barnes & Noble’s book, more retail workers could have the protections of a union contract with RWDSU – at a time when it’s needed now more than ever,” said Stuart Appelbaum (He/Him), President of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU).
The union, which represents nearly 40 percent of locations of large booksellers in the city, raised the standard for safety, wages, and healthcare for their newest union members. These are the first union contracts for any Barnes & Noble workers in the nation and collectively cover over 200 workers across three New York City stores. A tentative agreement has been reached at the Bloomington, Illinois Barnes & Noble Store.
During bargaining, the union was also pushing for the enactment of the historic retail safety legislation statewide, adding safety measures for all retail workers. Workers at Barnes & Noble’s Union Square Flagship, West 82nd Street, and Park Slope, New York City stores have secured wage increases, health services improvements and many other benefits.
“The ratification of this contract represents three years of work at Barnes & Noble Union Square. When we started organizing, we were making minimum wage in unacceptable work conditions. The contract we voted on today was fought for and won by the workers of this store. Now, we’re looking forward to finally having guaranteed raises, excellent union health care coverage, protections from layoffs and store closure, and so much more. Finally, with a union contract, workers can feel secure in their careers as booksellers, baristas, and more,” said Aaron Lascano (He/Him), Senior Bookseller at the Barnes & Noble Flagship store in Union Square, New York City.
