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.

Tonight, the New York Assembly passed the Retail Worker Safety Act A. 8947C. 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.

During the middle of REI’s annual Anniversary Sale, members of REI Union SoHo, represented by the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU), stopped work and walked off the job in an Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) strike to protest REI’s failure to bargain a contract in good faith. REI SoHo workers picketed and demanded REI agree to reach a fair contract by the end of 2024. Photos and videos from the strike are available for media use here.

During the middle of REI’s annual Anniversary Sale, members of REI Union SoHo, represented by the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU), rallied in protest of REI’s failure to bargain a contract in good faith. Joined by RWDSU President Stuart Appelbaum and fellow union members, NYC Council Member Christopher Marte, NYC Council Member Carmen De La Rosa, NYC Council Member Chi Ossé and other elected officials, Vincent Alvarez, President of the New York City Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO, and other elected leaders and workers from across New York’s labor movement, REI SoHo workers rallied and demanded REI agree to reach a fair contract by the end of 2024.