When workers at Genesis Woodlands Center, a nursing home in Plainfield, New Jersey, joined RWDSU Local 108 last year, they wanted change, and most of all, respect.

Local 444 members at Envipco – service technicians who maintain automated bottle and can recycling machines on location at grocery stores, liquor stores, and department stores - ratified a new three-year contract.

Today, with an expired contract, 1,500 unionized H&M workers at locations across Manhattan are still without a contract. After weeks of negotiations, it is clear that the company has not been bargaining with decision -makers at the table. A number of elected officials joined H&M retail professionals, who are members of Local 1102 of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU), on a delegation visit to the H&M U.S. Headquarters to demand they come to the table. The union is seeking to negotiate a fair contract that includes essential scheduling provisions that would eliminate “clopenings”, give part-time workers a minimum of 14-18 hours a week and the right to time off after five consecutive days worked, among many other fair union demands.

A new five-year agreement between Local 1096 members and Coca-Cola in Indianapolis, Indiana, was overwhelmingly ratified, bringing workers numerous improvements, including annual raises of 50 cents an hour, and a $1,000 ratification bonus. The new contract also brings the union into new employee orientation meetings so that new employees will better understand union benefits and how to get involved in the union. The contract also brings workers double pay when their shift extends over the course of two days and expands discrimination protection to cover sexual orientation and gender identity. Uniform and footwear will be provided annually, and vacation and work-related injury policies were improved.