As workers at a number of individual Barnes & Noble stores vote to unionize — and as the chain itself embarks on a significant expansion of locations this year — employees tell the Guardian that ceo James Daunt has “embarked upon a months-long campaign to dissuade employees from voting in favor” of unionizing. They also “accuse the chain’s management of dragging their heels during contract negotiations.” Jessica Sepple, a bookseller at the flagship New York City store in Union Square, says: “He would come in and essentially try to talk us out of unionizing. The big argument against us unionizing […]
Unions
NLRB Files Complaint Against OUP; Union Prepares to Strike
The National Labor Relations Board has filed a complaint against Oxford University Press in response to the OUP USA union’s charges — first brought in July 2023 — that the press “violated labor law by refusing to bargain over, and eventually moving, work represented by the union to locations overseas,” according to a union press release. The union also intends to file additional charges, including the claim that the press has based union members’ annual pay reviews on whether they accept the company’s most recent offer. Management and the company have been bargaining over a contract since 2022. “In light […]
UWS B&N Workers Vote Yes on Union
Yesterday, 85 percent of eligible employees at the Barnes & Noble on West 85th Street in Manhattan voted to join the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU). The union represents approximately 50 workers, and contract negotiations “will commence swiftly,” according to a release. In a release, senior barista Gina Fowler said, “Winning our union election means my and my co-worker’s needs can finally be heard! We’re asking for fair pay, clear opportunities to progress in long-term careers with Barnes & Noble, and overall job security. I look forward to having our voices heard at the bargaining table.” This marks […]
Workers at Upper West Side Barnes & Noble Unionize
Employees at the Barnes & Noble on West 82nd Street in Manhattan intend to form a union with the RWDSU. The union will represent approximately 50 employees including booksellers, baristas, cashiers, maintenance, and all “non-supervisory employees.” They have asked the company to voluntarily recognize the union and have also filed an election petition with the NLRB. According to a release, workers “have concerns over job security, a lack of structure when it comes to job duties and tasks at work, and favoritism by management.” “I care a lot about my coworkers,” bookseller Eve Greenlow said. “I want the best for them, […]
City Lights Bookstore Unionizes
Employees at City Lights Bookstore in San Francisco have unionized, joining the Industrial Workers of the World Local 660, KQED reports. Approximately 16 workers are eligible, and most have signed union-authorization cards. The store plans to recognize the union, with an official decision slated for tomorrow. “City Lights has always been actively engaged in the project of creating and evolving a fulfilling, equitable, and humane workplace. This is a key to our institutional philosophy, and it has informed our practice from the beginning,” City Lights executive director Elaine Katzenberger. “If unionization can provide us with new tools for helping us […]
B&N Union Square Employees Stop Work on Pre-Holiday Afternoon
Unionized workers at the Barnes & Noble in Union Square walked off the job at 2 PM on Friday, December 22 to protest “the company’s failure to return on economic portions of the contract amid their highest sales season.” After joining the RWDSU in June, employees have met with management to negotiate a contract throughout the fall. According to the union, last week, ceo James Daunt came to the bargaining table. In a release, the union stated, “If the company wants to live up to James Daunt’s vision of a well trained, knowledgeable sales team, and a shopping experience for […]