The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued a decision in OSHA Complaint No. 2240262, made by technicians in the REI SoHo bike and ski shop on December 5, 2024. All eight workers employed in the REI SoHo bike and ski shop have been out on a health and safety strike since December 4, 2024, after REI removed personal protective equipment previously supplied by the company from the bike and ski shop without providing any evidence to support their assertion that the work environment is safe to perform ski work in without respirators. OSHA has shockingly determined that the evidence provided by REI is sufficient and does not warrant further investigation by the agency. The RWDSU will be contesting this decision and joins with the New York Committee for Occupational Safety & Health (NYCOSH) in calling for a new air quality test to be performed by a qualified industrial hygienist testing for the three chemicals used during ski tune work – metal grip, emulsion, and low density polyethylene. 

Workers at Barnes & Noble unionized stores in New York City organized with the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU), rallied with fellow New York City unionized bookstore workers including workers from McNally Jackson represented by RWDSU Local 1102, the Strand in Union Square who are members of UAW 2179, and Barnes & Noble workers from Hadley, Massachusetts, who are members of UFCW 1459, to demand the company reach a contract by the end of 2024. As the holiday shopping season gets underway, workers were joined by unionized bookstore workers to raise industry standards for all. They were also joined by union members from across the city, labor allies, advocacy and community groups, and concerned shoppers.

Members of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU) gathered on zoom to share stories of past holiday seasons and issues they face heading into one of the busiest times of the year in the industry. Workers came together just ahead of Black Friday and Cyber Monday to highlight the unique pressures they face and call on the public to be kind and understanding.

Stuart Appelbaum, President of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU) issued the following statement on the decision in the consolidated complaint against Amazon regarding the election at Amazon in Bessemer, Alabama, originally filed on November 20, 2020…