Unions

Workers at literary nonprofit and bookstore the Center for Fiction have filed for a union election with the RWDSU. According to a social media post, they “are forming a union to ensure that our voices are heard when decisions are made that impact us, and to ensure that we are compensated adequately as employees who live in one of the most expensive cities in the world.” Employees hope that management voluntarily recognizes the union, which would represent about 25 workers, including booksellers, baristas, and non-managerial staff in the office.

Abrams has hired labor consultant Max Goodwin to serve as an “educational resource” for employees as they consider their union election, according to an HR email that was obtained by PL. Goodwin is associated with an anti-union organization. According to the Abrams Union’s social media, Goodwin is ceo of ILR, “a division of Sparta solutions.” Sparta’s website notes that it “can help your company through the toughest fights,” including NLRB union elections and lists “organized labor” among its “opponents.” Abrams ceo Mary McAveney introduced Goodwin to employees in a “voluntary gathering” on Tuesday. and the company said that it is […]

UAW Local 2110 petitioned the National Labor Relations Board for a vote to unionize Abrams Books employees, the first step in officially forming a union. The workers, including staff in publicity, marketing, production, design, managing editorial, sales, distribution, IT, finance, and the mail room, are looking for higher wages, increased job security, and more transparency from management. Local 2110 also represents the Harper Collins union. The union posted a mission statement on social media, which reads in part, “In forming a union, we stake our claim in shaping the future of Abrams: a more equitable, ethical, and transparent working environment. […]

Workers at Greenlight Bookstore in NYC, who are represented by the RWDSU, ratified a new three-year contract. The new provisions include annual wage increases, increased PTO and paid holidays, and increased staff for opening and closing shifts. The company will also pay more toward health insurance, without any increase to the employees’ contributions. The news comes soon after the RWDSU successfully negotiated the first two union contracts at Barnes & Noble stores. “I’m really proud of our new contract, and grateful for the workers who first organized the shop in 2021 as well as all the booksellers across the city […]

After three Barnes & Noble locations in NYC finalized the chain’s first union contracts last week, the union at the Bloomfield, IL store ratified their contract as well. Workers at all four stores are represented by the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union. The contract provides union healthcare coverage, safety provisions, and pay and job security.