The approximately 140 unionized workers at the Strand Bookstore in New York City have voted down the store's latest contract offer, the New York Times reported. The new contract would have created a two-tier system of benefits--with smaller benefits for newer employees--as well as frozen pay for a year and required employees to pay more for the health plan, among other things.
Strand general manager Eddie Sutton said the contract was in response to sales that have fallen 5% since 2008. Negotiations resume next week.