Barnes & Noble Workers Win Historic First in the Nation Union Contracts at NYC Stores

The Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU) yesterday announced the ratification of first union contracts at three New York City Barnes & Noble stores. The union, which represents nearly 40 percent of locations of large booksellers in the city, raised the standard for safety, wages, and healthcare for their newest union members. These are the first union contracts for any Barnes & Noble workers in the nation and collectively cover over 200 workers across three New York City stores including the Flagship Union Square store below the corporate headquarters.

Safety was at the center of the organizing for workers at Barnes & Noble. During bargaining, the union was also pushing for the enactment of the historic retail safety legislation statewide, adding safety measures for retail workers, union and not. The safety gains in this first union contract use the Retail Worker Safety Act as a floor, but go well beyond the law – a standard retailers across the industry can look to as to how to better protect workers. Read more including details of the new contract here!