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.

“No matter who the president may be, our job is the same – to represent the members of our union and to protect their rights and advance their interests. The way to improve working conditions is by organizing, and we will continue to do that.”

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 panic 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.

The Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU) endorsed Kamala Harris for President of the United States. Stuart Appelbaum, President of the RWDSU issued the following statement…