Today, President Stuart Appelbaum of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU) announced the union’s endorsement of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Congress in the 14th District, which includes parts of the South Bronx and Northern Queens.

Today, with an expired contract, 1,500 unionized H&M workers at locations across Manhattan ramped up their campaign for a fair new contract. After months of negotiations, it was clear to the union that the company was not bargaining with any real intent to secure a new contract. A number of elected officials joined H&M retail professionals, who are members of Local 1102 of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU), at the Herald Square Flagship location – the largest H&M store in the world, to rally for essential scheduling provisions that would eliminate “clopenings”, give part-time workers a minimum of 14-18 hours a week and the right to time off after five consecutive days worked, among many other fair union demands.

“At a time when working people continue to struggle, our government and the courts should be supporting stronger unions, not working to undermine them. This decision is nothing more than a thinly-veiled political attack on public unions. Despite this decision, a reinvigorated labor movement will continue to help workers organize and use their constitutionally-guaranteed union voice. Strong unions remain the only way workers can guarantee better jobs and better lives,” said Stuart Appelbaum, President of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU).

Today, President Stuart Appelbaum of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU) thanked members across New York who worked to secure Primary Wins in key Congressional races. The RWDSU’s political work will continue across the country as we head into the mid-term elections in November.