FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 14, 2024
CONTACT: Chelsea Connor | cconnor@rwdsu.org | 347-866-6259
BARNES & NOBLE WORKERS AT THE UPPER WEST SIDE MANHATTAN STORE VOTE OVERWHELMINGLY TO JOIN THE RWDSU
Win Follows Six Overwhelming Union Wins at Barnes & Noble Inc. Nationwide and One at Barnes & Noble Education at Rutgers University
The 82nd Street Store Joins Two Other Unionized Locations in New York City including the Union Square Flagship and the Park Slope, Brooklyn Stores in a Wave of Bookstore Organizing with the RWDSU Across the City
(NEW YORK, NY) – Today, the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU), announced that, by an overwhelming vote of 85% in favor of the union, workers at the Barnes & Noble 82nd Street Store on the Upper West Side of Manhattan have voted to join the RWDSU. Their win follows six overwhelming union votes nationwide by workers at Barnes & Noble Inc. and one at Barnes & Noble Education so far. Workers at this store now join two other unionized stores in New York City including the Flagship at Union Square and the Park Slope, Brooklyn store. There have also been a streak of wins by the RWDSU at independent booksellers in the area, including McNally Jackson, Goods for the Study, Greenlight Bookstore and Book Culture.
Workers at the store have concerns over job security, a lack of structure when it comes to job duties and tasks at work, and favoritism by management, all of which they’re seeking to address in their first union contract.
“Winning our union election means my and my co-worker’s needs can finally be heard! We’re asking for fair pay, clear opportunities to progress in long-term careers with Barnes & Noble, and overall job security. I look forward to having our voices heard at the bargaining table,” said Gina Fowler, (She/They), Senior Barista at the Upper West Side Barnes & Noble store.
“We’re all thrilled and excited at the election result. The feeling of solidarity among employees at every position in the store is really incredible. We’re looking forward to beginning negotiations for fair pay and better working conditions,” said Esther Rosenfield, (She/Her), Senior Barista at the Upper West Side Barnes & Noble store.
“With each new union election, workers continue to send a clear message to Barnes & Noble that they want a seat at the table – and they are winning that seat by historic margins. Bookstore workers across the industry, from independent sellers to corporate behemoths like Barnes & Noble face safety concerns, lack of training, and favoritism by management. Only with a union, will these issues and more be heard. Barnes & Noble workers are changing how their history will be told, and inspiring other workers to do the same!”said Stuart Appelbaum, President of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU).
The vote to unionize workers at the Barnes & Noble West 82nd Street Store was conducted by an in-person secret ballot vote on-site at the store on March 14, 2024, and overseen by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). The RWDSU will represent about 50 workers at the store in contract negotiations, which will commence swiftly. The workers in the bargaining unit include Booksellers, Baristas, Cashiers, Maintenance Clerks and all non-supervisory employees at the store.
Barnes & Noble Workers at the Upper West Side Store on the day of their election filing, February 20, 2024.
Information about the current public campaigns, news of new announcements and information for workers seeking to organize at their Barnes & Noble’s store can be found by following @BNWorkers on Twitter and @BarnesandNobleUnion on Instagram.
NOTE: Barnes & Noble and Barnes & Noble College Booksellers are separate companies. Barnes & Noble is a privately held company headquartered in New York City. Barnes & Noble Education is publicly traded under BNED on the NYSE and is headquartered in Basking Ridge, New Jersey.
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The Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU) represents 100,000 members throughout the United States, including 45,000 in New York State. The RWDSU is affiliated with the United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW). For more information, please visit our website at www.rwdsu.org, Facebook:/RWDSU.UFCW Twitter:@RWDSU. The public can also follow the national campaign on social media @BNWorkers on Twitter and @BarnesandNobleUnion on Instagram.