Monthly Archives: August 2016

On April 25, UFCW Local 2D held its “Stand Up for a Cure” golf outing in Staten Island, N.Y., to support Michael’s Cause, a local charity. This year’s golf outing raised $32,500 for the charity, which raises funding for research for Duchenne muscular dystrophy and was founded in honor of ten-year-old Michael Capolongo, who suffers from the disease.

Local 2D has been involved with Michael’s Cause since 2012, and has raised over $100,000 for the organization in the last four years. Local 2D has a long history of giving back to the local community, including helping children with disabilities through the AHRC Foundation, and assisting children of other countries through the Boys’& Girls’ Towns of Italy.

“As a local union, we are responsible not only for our membership and their families, but we feel we have an obligation to pool our resources and use the collective voice we have to raise money and donate our time for those that are in need,” said UFCW Local 2D President Vincent Fyfe.

This week, after a majority of the workers at Zara’s eight stores in Manhattan signed cards stating they wanted to be represented by RWDSU Local 1102, the company agreed to recognize the union.  The agreement covers over 1,000 retail workers at all of Zara’s stores in Manhattan.  These are the first Zara workers in the United States to be unionized.

Zara, the Spanish fashion chain owned by Inditex, is the world’s largest clothing retailer.  The RWDSU and Zara reached an agreement earlier this year where the employer agreed to remain neutral and not to oppose the union’s attempt to organize its workforce.

“Zara’s approach to recognize the right of its workers to form a union, without intimidation, is a message to all retailers – you can be successful and still respect the right of your employees,” said Gemma de Leon Lopresti, president of RWDSU Local 1102.

This is the largest retail organizing win in New York City in recent years. In 2009, RWDSU Local 1102 organized nearly 1,200 workers at H&M, another fast-fashion global retail chain.

Workers at Zara look forward to working in an environment where they can make their jobs better, and create better lives for themselves and their families.

“Working in retail is extremely fast-paced and hectic,” said Joseph Minton, an associate at Zara’s 59^th Street location.  “I’m excited that the company is willing to listen to our concerns and work with the union for everyone’s benefit.”

“We applaud Zara for recognizing the rights of its employees to choose to unionize, without interference,” said RWDSU President Stuart Appelbaum. “Unfortunately, too many American employers refuse to respect their workers’ right to freedom of association and intimidate and threaten workers who try to organize.”

“This process is a huge step for retail workers in New York. Zara, the largest fast-fashion retailer in the world, is sending a strong message that you can remain profitable and still recognize your workers’ right to dignity, justice and respect on the job,” said Appelbaum.