Barnes & Noble Workers at Park Slope Store Vote Overwhelmingly To Join The RWDSU

The Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU), announced last night that, by an overwhelming vote of 88% in favor of the union, workers at the Barnes & Noble Park Slope, Brooklyn store have voted to join the RWDSU. Building upon last month’s win at the New York City Union Square Flagship store by workers with RWDSU as well as wins at two other locations outside NYC, workers in the Park Slope store have joined the tidal wave. Yesterday's win also comes amid a streak of wins by the RWDSU at independent booksellers in the New York area, including McNally Jackson, Goods for the Study, Greenlight Bookstore and Book Culture.

“I am happy and relieved about the outcome today. Excited to see how things go moving forward. I hope B&N is listening to us today and will work with us as we begin negotiations. And I hope other retail workers who are interested in unionization find this moment to be inspiring and get active,” said Sydul Akhanji (He/Him), 25, Bookseller.

“Workers are sending a clear message to Barnes & Noble, organizing a union is the only way to win a voice at work that can create real change – and they’re winning by historic margins. Bookstore workers across the industry, from independent sellers to corporate behemoths like Barnes & Noble face safety concerns, lack of training, and substandard wages. Only with a union, will these issues and more be heard. It is time for the industry to open a new chapter on how it treats its workers, and Barnes & Noble workers are writing the book,” said RWDSU President Stuart Appelbaum.

Information about the current public campaigns, news of new announcements and information for workers seeking to organize at their own Barnes & Noble store can be found by following @BNWorkers on Twitter and @BarnesandNobleUnion on Instagram.