Welcome to the new digital RWDSU Record! ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏

Welcome to the new digital RWDSU Record! Check out the latest news and updates from around the union!

Barnes & Noble NYC, Illinois Workers Make History With First Contracts 

Booksellers and baristas at Barnes & Noble made history this month when workers at four stores ratified the first-ever union contracts at the company! The new agreements for workers at three NYC stores and one store in Bloomington, Illinois, raise the standard for safety, wages, and healthcare in the bookselling industry.

“To be a part of the first ever union contract with Barnes & Noble feels like I’m a part of history!” said Eve Greenlow, a bookseller at the West 82nd Street store in NYC.

“We hope we’ve paved the way for other stores now that several locations in the country have reached a contract agreement with Barnes & Noble,” said Zane Crockett, a lead bookseller at the Bloomington, Illinois store.

If you know a Barnes & Noble worker looking to unionize, tell them to reach out to the RWDSU here!

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While workers across the country are under attack, the RWDSU continues to secure strong contracts at the bargaining table. Take a look at two recent wins, which have brought in higher wages, and most importantly, affordable healthcare and needed paid time off at Fresh Mark in Salem, Ohio and Ce De Candy in Union, New Jersey.

Fresh Mark Workers in Salem, Ohio Ratify Historic New Agreement

Bookstore workers aren’t the only RWDSU members making history! We’re proud to share that RWDSU Mid-South Council members at Fresh Mark in Salem, Ohio recently ratified a new contract that includes the largest wage increases of any prior contract at their facility!

The agreement also includes a new annual “W2 Bonus” that rewards longevity while creating a path for greater earnings for hours worked. In addition to the new annual bonus, all Fresh Mark employees will now have an opportunity to increase their vacation pay rate. Not to mention that workers secured very affordable health coverage with minimal increases for the entirety of the agreement. Workers are sticking together and making their jobs sustainable for the long haul.

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Members Secure Smart New Contract!

RWDSU members in food processing continue to win improvements on the job! RWDSU Local 262 members at Ce De Candy in Union, New Jersey recently ratified a new three-year contract that includes large wage increases. The agreement also sees the employer picking up a greater share of the medical plan costs and includes an additional paid holiday and sick day. Next time you’re craving a sweet treat, grab a union-made pack of Smarties!

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They say it can’t be done, but the RWDSU continues to organize in the South. Back to back wins in Greensboro, North Carolina were no easy success stories, but workers at two nearby retail stores can now call themselves RWDSU members after securing their unions early this year. Learn more about the recent victories…

Greensboro, NC Retail Union Wave Continues as Reconsidered Goods Votes Union Yes

Despite increasing attacks on workers from the federal government, retail workers in the South are fighting back and organizing: just look at the recent union wave in Greensboro, North Carolina! Workers at Reconsidered Goods thrift store voted to unionize on February 24, 2025 — an exact month from the day that fellow retail workers at REI Greensboro voted to join the RWDSU.

Workers at Reconsidered Goods faced an uphill battle to get to their union vote when the company tried to exclude two workers from the unit. In January, workers went on strike over the issue and won in less than 24 hours, with the company agreeing to let all eligible workers vote in the union election — which they won unanimously.

“As we head into contract negotiations, our focus is to work together so we can finally make the changes our nonprofit needs; we're going to make sure Reconsidered Goods can fulfill its mission in a safe, collaborative, and sustainable way,” said E-Commerce Associate Tate Halvorsen.

 Read More 

Catch up on RWDSU members and leaders in the news on a wide range of topics from across our union…

  • Reuters, March 17, 2025: Trump administration aims to make faster meat processing permanent

  • Publishers Weekly, March 14, 2025: Greenlight Bookstore Ratifies New Union Contract

  • Politico, March 3, 2025: RWDSU President Stuart Appelbaum named DNC Associate Chair

  • The Associated Press, February 20, 2025: Is spending all day on your feet at work an occupational hazard?

Have a question about your union contract?

 Contact your Union Representative HERE! 

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