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.

RWDSU Local 338 members at The Herbal Care achieved a strong first contract at one of the first adult-use–only dispensaries in New York State to organize and successfully negotiate a union agreement. The organizing win was supported by  New York’s labor peace law, which protects workers’ ability to unionize without fear.

As September began, RWDSU Local 1102 members working in food service returned from a well-deserved summer break to greet students heading back to classrooms across districts, high schools, and universities. To mark the start of the new academic year, Local 1102 hosted Welcome Back Meetings with members on campuses. These gatherings provided an important space to reconnect, share updates, and highlight the essential work members do each day. They also offered the opportunity to review new benefits, answer questions, and ensure the year began on a strong note.

This year marks the 100^th anniversary of RWDSU Local 338 being officially charted as a union, a milestone that deserves enormous celebration and congratulations to all the members past and present that have made this possible. Like all organizing stories Local 338’s didn’t begin with its charter, but years before that with a small group of workers that came together to organize and fight for a better and safer workplace.