Over the past year, RWDSU Local 1102 made a bold decision. Instead of waiting for their contracts to expire at three Flying Food Group locations, they strategically chose to open them a full year early, an uncommon step that spoke volumes about the strength they had built through solidarity and action. It was a clear message: we are ready, and we are united.

For decades, the name “Patagonia” has been synonymous with environmental activism and corporate responsibility. But for the workers at the company’s flagship SoHo store in New York City, the brand’s famous motto “We’re in business to save our home planet” has started to feel like it’s missing a crucial component: the sustainability of the workers themselves.

On February 18, 2026, an impactful Stewards Training was held in Kansas City, Missouri, reinforcing one of the most important investments a union can make: developing strong, informed workplace leaders.

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.