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.

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.

RWDSU members at six Guitar Center locations recently ratified a new three-year agreement! Importantly for sales associates and repair technicians, the contract maintains the current commission structure – unlike the non-union Guitar Center stores, where commission payouts have been slashed across the company. That’s the union difference!

Today, the New York State Senate passed the Retail Worker Safety Act S. 8358B following passage of the coordinating bill in the Assembly A. 8947C on June 3, 2024. The Act requires corporate retail employers to adopt a violence prevention plan, train workers in de-escalation and active shooters and large employers must install panic buttons throughout the workplace. For the retail workers toiling on the front lines, retail violence is a growing workplace issue that must be addressed.