Workers at the store face continued safety issues amid the rebound of the pandemic, including workplace harassment, substandard pay for the industry below that of independent booksellers, unstable scheduling practices, a lack of structure when it comes to job duties and tasks at work, and favoritism by management. Issues they’re looking to address in their first contract negotiations.
“I am so proud of my coworkers and excited to move forward as a unionized bookstore and a member of RWDSU. We still have work ahead of ourselves, but today we have shown how dedicated we are to improving our store for ourselves and each other. We are ready to create a better workplace and a better future for Barnes & Noble employees,” said Jessica Sepple, 28 (She/Her), Senior Bookseller at the Barnes & Noble Flagship Union Square store.
“Winning this election means cafe workers will finally have a fair chance to bargain for a wage that appropriately reflects the rigorous level of work we perform during each shift. Time and time again, Barnes and Noble has treated their baristas like secondary employees to their booksellers. Many do not understand the level of work that is required to run their cafes. Now, we have a chance to safely advocate for what we need in order to create a safer and healthier work environment,” said Victoria Sedita, (She/Her) 27, Senior Barista at the Barnes & Noble Flagship Union Square store.
“It’s a disappointment that humane wages & employment safety are subjects that Barnes & Noble has hesitated to offer from the beginning of employment. Any worker at Barnes & Noble, at any level or any position, deserves courtesy. This union ensures our financial security, employment safety, & justified respect that we should have been granted from the start,” said Paige Lyerly, 23 (She/Her), Bookseller at the Barnes & Noble Flagship Union Square store.
The vote to unionize workers at Barnes & Noble Flagship Union Square store was conducted by an in-person secret ballot vote on-site at the store on June 7, 2023, overseen by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). The RWDSU will represent over 100 workers at the store in contract negotiations, which will commence this year. The workers in the proposed bargaining units include Booksellers, Baristas, Cashiers, and all non-supervisory employees at the store.
Information about the current public campaigns, news of new announcements and information for workers seeking to organize at their store can be found by following @BNWorkers on Twitter and @BarnesandNobleUnion on Instagram.
The Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU) represents 100,000 members throughout the United States, including 45,000 in New York State. The RWDSU is affiliated with the United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW). For more information, please visit our website at www.rwdsu.org,
Facebook:/RWDSU.UFCW Twitter:@RWDSU.
