Last Thursday, workers at Barnes & Noble unionized stores in New York City, organized with the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union, rallied outside the chain's flagship store on Union Square to demand the company reach a contract by the end of 2024.
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| (photo courtesy RWDSU) | |
They were joined by other New York City unionized bookstore workers including RWDSU bookselling union members from McNally Jackson, Greenlight, and Book Culture, as well as Strand bookstore workers who are members of UAW 2179, local elected officials, the New York City Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO, other area labor leaders and workers, and community members.
Following the rally, a delegation of workers delivered boxes of letters of support from the public to B&N. Participants also marched in Union Square.
RWDSU president Stuart Appelbaum commented: "If Barnes & Noble CEO James Daunt truly wants to create community stores, then he needs to create jobs for workers that mean they can afford to live in their communities--that means fair wages, safe working conditions and stability--all of which only comes with a union contract. The bookselling industry is booming again and people are craving the knowledgeable booksellers and cozy corners of the cafes at Barnes & Noble. It's time the largest corporate industry retailer set the standard and reach a fair contract--let's get it done before the holiday rush sets in."
On June 7, 2023, workers at the flagship B&N store voted to join the RWDSU.