FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 13, 2024
Contact: Chelsea Connor | cconnor@rwdsu.org | 347-866-6259
RETAIL WORKERS HIGHLIGHT HEIGHTENED HOLIDAY STRESS, UNION DIFFERENCE & CALL FOR KINDNESS
Virtual Press Conference by Retail Workers Addresses What the Public can do to Support Workers this Season
(NEW YORK, NEW YORK) - Today, 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. A recording of the virtual press conference can be viewed and is available for media use here, along with a list of all the worker spokespeople who bravely shared their incredible stories.
“Today, you've heard directly from retail workers about what working this time of year is really like for them. There’s no question that the scheduling provisions, safe staffing requirements and safety measures workers can and have won in union contracts go a long way. But employers can, and should, do more to protect their workers – and non-union workers face even greater challenges without the protections of a union contract. That’s why despite it being the busiest time of the year, workers at Barnes & Noble will be out rallying tomorrow for a fair contract, and why as you heard, REI workers are still demanding a fair contract despite the company's bottomless pit of union busting tactics,” said Stuart Appelbaum, (He/Him) President of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU). “When you’re out shopping this year, be kind to retail workers, and stand with workers rallying for fair union contracts, for that is the only path to protection during the holiday season, and all year long.”
“I’m proud to work in a specialty retail bookstore that’s unionized and this time of year I especially enjoy helping you find the perfect holiday gifts for your loved ones. Having a union ensures I have fair breaks, fair pay, and fair scheduling, which is critical at holiday time. My union siblings that work in the big corporate bookstore Barnes & Noble are still fighting for their first union contract and don’t have these protections making this busy time especially stressful. I urge customers to be kind and understanding, and support them as they fight for good wages this holiday season,” said Kathryn Harper (She/Her), Senior Bookseller at McNally Jackson, and member of RWDSU Local 1102.
“I’m proud that my work ensures your holiday table will be plentiful, but I don’t control the price of produce or our ability to be fully stocked the moment you arrive at the store. I am happy to help you pick the freshest items for your holiday meal and work with you to find substitutes when items may not be available. I'm an expert, I've worked in produce for 36 years. It’s easy to get frustrated when the secret ingredient to your family recipe is missing. My co-workers and I are here and happy to help you, but we deserve respect. As we head into the busiest time of year with back to back family gatherings we urge you to remember we too are shopping for the same groceries and we too have families to go home to – treat us with kindness and that kindness will come right back to you,” said Edwin Quezada, (He/Him) Produce Manager at Stop & Shop in Long Island, New York and member of Local 338 RWDSU/UFCW.
“Without a union contract in place, we will go yet another holiday rush without the protections we need. We know from our union siblings how having scheduling provisions, fair pay, safety trainings and added safety measures are, especially at this time of year. It’s disgusting that Eric Artz and REI are leaving us out in the cold again by refusing to bargain in good faith and delaying reaching a union contract with several outstanding unfair labor practice charges as we head into our busiest season,” said Margaux Lantelme (She/Her), Frontline & Banker at REI Chicago, which unionized on May 4, 2023 and is still bargaining for a first union contract.
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The Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU) represents 100,000 members throughout the United States. The RWDSU is affiliated with the United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW). For more information, please visit our website at www.rwdsu.org, Facebook:/RWDSU.UFCW Twitter:@RWDSU.