FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, June 2, 2025
CONTACT: Chelsea Connor | cconnor@rwdsu.org | 347-866-6259
WORKERS AT THE CENTER FOR FICTION WIN UNION RECOGNITION FROM EMPLOYER
Recognition Win Follows Historic First in the Nation Contract Win by RWDSU at Barnes & Noble
(NEW YORK, NY) – Today, workers at The Center for Fiction in Brooklyn, New York, announced their employer has recognized the workers’ union formed with the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU). On Thursday, May 15, 2025, a delegation of workers representing a clear supermajority of workers at The Center sought voluntary recognition of their union from the non-profit. The Center responded and formally recognized the union on May 28. On June 2, authorization cards were reviewed, solidifying RWDSU as the official bargaining representative under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA).
The Booksellers, Baristas, Assistant Cafe Managers, Facilities Assistants, Library Assistants, Administrative Assistants, Event Production Coordinators, Inventory Managers, Program Assistants, Development and Grants Assistants in the bargaining unit are seeking to resolve a range of workplace issues, but are focused on having a seat at the table and a voice in decision-making, scheduling, job descriptions, and policy at The Center. The union and the organization are set to begin bargaining their first contract soon to resolve these issues and more.
Today’s win comes on the heels of RWDSU’s ratification of the first-ever union contracts at Barnes & Noble stores in the nation. Through collective bargaining, the union has raised the standard for safety, wages, and healthcare for booksellers and cafe workers at several bookstores in the city. This is not the first time a bookstore or non-profit has voluntarily recognized the RWDSU; both Greenlight Bookstores and Yours Truly, Brooklyn stationery store and GrowNYC have done so in recent years.
“As writers, artists, community members and workers we are proud that The Center for Fiction has voluntarily recognized our union. We know the positive impact that collective action contributes towards fair wages, transparent contracts, and collaborative communication and we are eager to see it reflected at the negotiation table. We look forward to making The Center a fair, welcoming, and empowering space for all,” said Henri Seguin, a bookseller at The Center for Fiction.
“We are thrilled that our union has been voluntarily recognized. We have the utmost respect for everyone who works at The Center, and we are so excited to see the ways in which our collective action can make The Center an even more powerful institution. We can't wait to begin bargaining,” said Abbie Greenbaum, a barista and bartender at The Center for Fiction.
“In voluntarily recognizing our union today, The Center has taken an important first step in affirming the value of its workers and the contributions they make every day to The Center and its community. We are excited to begin our negotiations on a foundation of respect and receptivity as we work together with our coworkers, Executive Director, managers, and The Board to help the Center for Fiction meet its potential as a healthier and more equitable institution.” said Eliana Cohen-Orth, an Events Production Coordinator at The Center for Fiction.
“It’s not fiction – the workers at The Center for Fiction now have a union. With a union contract in place, workers will gain the clarity and stability they deserve – knowing their schedules, understanding their job roles, and having a real voice in workplace policies and decisions. Bookstore workers are a vital part of our communities and the stores they run, which is why they must have a voice at work to ensure the industry continues to thrive. The Center for Fiction did the right thing by recognizing that a supermajority of its workers want to be represented by the RWDSU, and by not delaying recognition, and we welcome yet another bookstore into our union family today,” said Stuart Appelbaum, President of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU).
Over the past year, organizing in the bookstore industry has spread like wildfire and there are now seven unionized Barnes & Noble Inc. locations across the country, and those numbers are growing. The RWDSU also represents workers in independent bookstores and stationery stores including workers at McNally Jackson and Goods for the Study, Greenlight Bookstore and Yours Truly, Brooklyn, and Book Culture, all members of RWDSU Local 1102.
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The Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU) represents 100,000 members throughout the United States. 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.