FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, September 4, 2024
CONTACT: Chelsea Connor | cconnor@rwdsu.org | 347-866-6259
RETAIL WORKER SAFETY ACT SIGNED INTO LAW BY NY GOVERNOR HOCHUL
New York State Retail Workers Win Significant Safety Measures
(NEW YORK, NEW YORK) - Today, New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed the Retail Worker Safety Act (RWSA) S. 8358B/A. 8947C into law. The Act requires corporate retail employers to adopt a violence prevention plan, train workers in de-escalation and active shooters, and large employers install silent response buttons throughout the workplace. For the retail workers toiling on the front lines, retail violence is a growing workplace issue that the administration put front and center this legislative session. The RWSA, which was spearheaded by the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU), centers on preventative action that puts protections for workers and shoppers in our retail stores into place before incidents happen. The real time solutions in this law will save lives and make shopping safer for all. More information about the Retail Worker Safety Act can be found at: rwdsu.org/retailworkersafety.
President Stuart Appelbaum, members of the RWDSU, and workers across the state have championed this bill since its introduction this session. The union brought together retail workers from Buffalo down to Long Island, holding rallies and press conferences in New York City, Albany and on Zoom, to urge the passage of this critical common sense safety bill with Bill Sponsors Senator Jessica Ramos and Assemblymember Karines Reyes.
“Working to stop retail violence and theft has been a centerpiece of the Governor’s work this legislative session, and with her signature on the Retail Worker Safety Act, our members, retail workers across the state, and shoppers will be safer. The preventative measures this law provides will help stop violence and harassment before it starts, but even more importantly, will more safely assist workers in getting help quickly in the event of an emergency. From West Hempstead to Buffalo, union workers have suffered grave losses to senseless store shootings. The provisions in this bill can help to save lives, and with Governor Hochul’s support and swift implementation we know we will all be safer. Thank you to the Governor for signing this important bill into law today, to our Bill Sponsors Senator Jessica Ramos and Assemblymember Karines Reyes, and all the co-sponsors of the RWSA for supporting this urgently needed retail worker protection law. Retail workers should not go to work every day in fear, this law goes a long way toward ending that,” said Stuart Appelbaum, (He/Him), President of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU).
RWDSU President Stuart Appelbaum stands with New York Governor Hochul as she signs the Retail Worker Safety Act into Law at the New York City Central Labor Council in New York City on September 4, 2024.
For the retail workers toiling on the front lines, retail violence is a growing workplace issue that must be addressed. For more information on the Retail Worker Safety Act, please visit: www.rwdsu.org/retailworkersafety
RWDSU conducted a survey of our members related to workplace violence and found the following:
Over 80% of respondents are worried about an active shooter coming into their workplace
Nearly ⅔ of respondents experienced verbal harassment or intimidating conduct from a customer, co-worker, or manager within the last year.
Only 7% of respondents agreed with the following statement: My employer has made changes in the workplace after a violent incident in order to make my work safer.
Nearly ¾ of respondents would feel safer if they received regular training on how to be safe in the workplace, including understanding the risks, how to reduce those risks and what to do in the event violence occurs.
Based on these findings, as well as the reality of mass shootings in retail settings and the increase in daily violence, it is clear that we have reached a crisis point in this industry and it’s time to act. The Retail Worker Safety Act provides a common sense solution based on extensive interviews with retail workers on the frontlines. The legislation states that employers have a positive obligation to create a safe work environment for retail workers. The Retail Worker Safety Act will require the NYS Department of Labor to create a model risk assessment and training program, focusing on de-escalation tactics and active shooter training. Employers with 10 or more workers will be required to adopt the model risk assessment or develop their own, and offer the worker safety trainings annually to their employees. Employers with 500 or more workers statewide will be required to install silent response buttons throughout the store, allowing workers a safe and effective method of calling for help.
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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.