FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, January 25, 2024
CONTACT: Astrid Aune, aaune@nysenate.gov, 530-400-0509
RWDSU CONTACT: Maria DiPasquale, mdipasquale@rwdsu.org, 201-396-1021
RAMOS, REYES, AND RETAIL, WHOLESALE AND DEPARTMENT STORE UNION LAUNCH LEGISLATION FOR RETAIL WORKER SAFETY IN NEW YORK
Ensuring Retail Worker Safety Is A Top Legislative Priority For The RWDSU
NEW YORK CITY, NY - Retail worker members of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU) rallied with elected allies in Herald Square today for a rally announcing the Retail Worker Safety Act.
For the retail workers toiling on the front lines, retail violence is a growing workplace issue. RWDSU conducted a survey of their members related to workplace violence and found the following:
Over 80% of respondents are worried about an active shooter coming into their workplace
Nearly ⅔ of respondents experienced verbal harassment or intimidating conduct from a customer, co-worker, or manager within the last year.
More than half of respondents have received no training from their employer about how to respond to shoplifters
Only 5% of respondents agreed with the following statement: My employer has made changes in the workplace after a violent incident in order to make my work safer.
Nearly ¾ of respondents would feel safer if they received regular training on how to be safe in the workplace, including understanding the risks, how to reduce those risks and what to do in the event violence occurs.
Based on these findings, as well as the reality of mass shootings in retail settings and the increase in daily violence, it is clear that we have reached a crisis point in this industry and its the time to act.
To address this problem, the RWDSU is working with Senate Labor Chair Jessica Ramos and Assemblymember Karines Reyes, Chair of the Subcommittee on Workplace Safety, to introduce a bill at the state level in New York called the Retail Worker Safety Act (S.8358/Assembly number forthcoming). This bill will require retail employers to create safe working conditions for their employees by implementing ongoing preventative trainings, conducting regular risk assessments, and keeping detailed records of incidents of workplace violence.
“There has already been a lot of discussion of retail theft, and increasing penalties for organized perpetrators in this budget cycle,” said State Senator Jessica Ramos (D, SD-13). “But we have yet to hear any worker-focused angle in this conversation. Retail workers are often on the frontline of dealing with many concurrent policy failures: the mental health crisis, poverty, and a lack of common-sense gun control. Union retail workers have the opportunity to negotiate for improved safety measures, and with this legislation we are hoping to extend that same level of safety to all retail workers.”
“Retail theft is negatively impacting business practices and creating more unsafe environments for New Yorkers,” said Assembly Member Karines Reyes, R.N. “As the Governor and the Legislature mull the possibility of stiffening criminal penalties for organized groups engaging in retail theft, we cannot miss the opportunity to comprehensively address this issue. That’s why I am proud to introduce the Retail Worker Security Act with Senator Ramos and have the support of the RWDSU. This legislation would prepare employers and workers, by mandating adequate training, threat assessments and transparency in the incidents that occur. I am hopeful that we can pass this legislation and provide a holistic response to make consumers, workers, employers and their property safer.”
“Retail workers should not have to go to work each day worried about their safety,” said Stuart Appelbaum, President of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union, RWDSU. “Retail work is already stressful enough. But then add on top of that the constant threat of being harassed, assaulted or even killed, and the job becomes significantly more stressful. Employers must take full responsibility to protect their workers from violence. And it’s not that hard to do: conduct a risk assessment of the workplace, mitigate as many risks as possible and train workers to understand and prepare for the risks that remain for them and their customers. And this is not just about worker safety; it’s also about protecting customers. A 2022 nationwide study showed that the majority of retail fatalities were actually customers simply running errands. Creating a safe workplace for workers makes everyone in our community safer. Let’s pass the Retail Worker Safety Act now.”
“The Retail Worker Safety Act is a critical piece of legislation that will hold companies accountable and require them to take the safety and wellbeing of their workers into consideration,” said John R. Durso, President, Local 338 RWDSU/UFCW. “Protecting retail workers is not up for debate, we need to be doing more to keep them safe. This legislation will provide workers with trainings on de-escalation and active shooters, preparing them for the unfortunate realities of the world we live in today. Local 338 RWDSU/UFCW has not been immune from the tragedy of workplace violence and that is why we must not delay passing this legislation – it could save someone’s life and will ensure that all workers have the protections they need to do their jobs safely.”
“Retail workers have a right to go to work each day and not worry about whether they will make it back home at the end of the day to their family,” said Felix Ocasio, President of Local 1-S RWDSU/UFCW. “As the union representing the workers at Macy’s flagship Herald Square location, we see day in and day out how the challenges of our society show up in the workplace. Despite Macy’s doing more than most employers to train and prepare workers for challenging customers and even violence, it is still not enough. We look forward to passing the Retail Worker Safety Act to ensure all retail workers in New York are supported and protected while on the job.” RWDSU Local 1-S represents workers at Macy’s flagship Herald Square store in Manhattan and workers at Macy’s Queens and Parkchester stores.
“There are a lot of solutions being proposed to address theft and violence in retail stores, but no one, except our unions, are actually asking workers what needs to be done,” said Shaun Kavanaugh, President, Local 3 RWDSU/UFCW. “Our workers live the reality day in and day out of the threat of violence in the workplace. These workers are just trying to do their jobs, earn a living and care for their families. Employers should do their fair share to create safe workplaces and the Retail Worker Safety Act would make that happen. That’s all we’re asking for.” Local 3 represents workers at Bloomingdale’s flagship 59th Street store in New York City, with extended protection to workers at the Bloomingdale’s SoHo store.
“Rarely does a week go by when we are not speaking with retail workers who are genuinely afraid to come to work,” said Eileen Crosby, Retail Director, Local 1102 RWDSU/UFCW. “This is unacceptable. Retail workers have become subject to such high levels of harassment and violence that it has become the ‘norm’ when it needs to be the exception. We know that employers are not doing enough to keep workers safe. They focus on protecting merchandise more than people, which is sad because the workers are a company’s primary asset. Local 1102 hopes the Retail Worker Safety Act gets passed right away so we can focus on keeping workers safe.” Local 1102 represents workers at fast fashion retailers throughout New York.