FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 20, 2026

Contact: Chelsea Connor | cconnor@rwdsu.org | 347-866-6259

SOHO PATAGONIA WORKERS FILE FOR UNION ELECTION WITH RWDSU, AIMING TO BECOME OUTDOOR RETAILER’S FIRST UNIONIZED SHOP IN THE EAST

Filing Follows a National Surge in Outdoor Retailer Organizing, the Patagonia Store Joins a Growing Wave of Retail Workers Organizing with the RWDSU Across New York City

(NEW YORK, NY) – Today, workers at the Patagonia store in SoHo filed for a union election with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) seeking representation with the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU). This filing marks a major turning point for employees of the outdoor apparel giant, as they move to become the first unionized Patagonia location in the eastern United States. The filing joins a powerful streak of retail organizing and contract wins by the RWDSU in New York City and beyond.

Today’s election petition was filed immediately after a delegation of SoHo Patagonia workers informed management that a supermajority of the staff had signed RWDSU authorization cards. Citing Patagonia’s own corporate philosophy of environmental and social responsibility, the workers asked the company to voluntarily recognize the union so that contract negotiations could begin swiftly. While awaiting a formal response from Patagonia leadership, workers have moved forward with an NLRB election filing.The company at any time can voluntarily recognize the union, but has yet to do so despite the overwhelming call for union representation.

While Patagonia is known for its progressive public image, workers at the SoHo location are organizing to ensure that the company’s values translate into a real voice on the job. Workers are organizing in response to a sharp and recent erosion of the store's unique culture, specifically citing the elimination of longstanding PTO policies, such as the annual week-long winter break, cutting of certain healthcare benefits, the removal of tuition reimbursements, and an erosion in professional development opportunities. These issues and more workers are seeking to resolve in a first union contract. 

“Patagonia tells the world we should ‘save our home planet,’ but we need to make sure our own workplace is sustainable for the people who run it,” said Jacob Hoschoer (He/Him), Customer Experience Guide at the SoHo Patagonia store. “We are proud of the work we do, but we need the job security and the seat at the table that only a union contract can provide. We’re asking Patagonia to live up to its mission by respecting our right to organize without interference.”

“Job security is important to me," said Ben Bonnema (He/Him), Customer Experience Guide at the SoHo Patagonia store. "For years I've asked for 'Just Cause' protections, which most other countries have, but things have only gotten worse. All workers deserve to have a say in their working conditions, and it's time we do, too.”

“Retail workers across New York are sending a clear message: essential workplace standards shouldn't be at the whim of management – they must be guaranteed in writing by a contract,” said Stuart Appelbaum, President of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU). “The workers at SoHo Patagonia are leaders in the outdoor industry, and we are proud to stand with them as they fight for the dignity and respect they deserve.”

When successful, the 30 full and part-time workers at the SoHo store who work as Customer Experience Guides (CXG's) and Team Leads including Visual Team Leads, Retail Team Leads, and Warehouse Team Leads will join the RWDSU and fight for a fair first union contract in solidarity with workers who organized at the first Patagonia store in Reno, Nevada with UFCW Local 711 in March of 2024. The SoHo Patagonia workers join a rapidly growing list of New York City retail employees who have successfully organized with the RWDSU, including workers at Barnes & Noble, REI, McNally Jackson, and Goods for the Study. 

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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, Instagram: @rwdsustrong.