FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 23, 2020
Contact: Chelsea Connor | cconnor@rwdsu.org | 347-866-6259
HOUSING WORKS EMPLOYEES VOTE TO JOIN THE RETAIL, WHOLESALE AND DEPARTMENT STORE UNION
Workers Secure Right to a Union After 2-Year Battle
(NEW YORK, NY) – Today, the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union’s (RWDSU), announced that by a vote of 88% to 12%, workers across all Housing Works locations voted to join the RWDSU. After two years of organizing, these 605 workers have finally achieved their right to fair representation, a seat at the table and a real chance to fix issues at Housing Works – which have only become more pronounced during the pandemic.
“We’re proud to finally and officially welcome the 605 workers employed by Housing Works into our union. These workers experienced a needlessly long fight to unionize their workplace. Their tenacity, and fortitude never wavered in this unnecessarily long process, which was stalled by their employer at every turn. Together, they are ready to win a strong contract that will only enhance their ability to care for the Housing Works community. The results of this union election continue to show that the best way for working people to protect themselves and their families is to join together in a union,” said Stuart Appelbaum, President, Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU).
The vote to unionize by workers at Housing Works was conducted by mail-in vote, with ballots having been due at the Labor Board by December 14, 2020 for tabulation. The RWDSU will represent the 605 workers at the non-profit organization in contract negotiations, which will commence in 2021. The workers in the bargaining unit handle maintenance, legal, casework, social work, healthcare and retail at Housing Works facilities across New York.
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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.