This month, RWDSU/UFCW Local 1102 members who work at Modell’s in the New York City area successfully negotiated and ratified a new three-year contract. Modell’s is the nation’s oldest, family-owned and operated retailer of sporting goods and apparel.
Workers won guaranteed wage increases and maintained affordable health insurance plans and pension benefits. Together, members won a contract in which all advances on scheduling rights, job security, and working conditions were protected.
On Jan. 17, Making Change at Walmart (MCAW) issued a statement in response to the news that the retailer will create 10,000 retail jobs in the coming year. This job creation announcement comes after Walmart cut 10,000 jobs this time last year when it closed 269 stores. The company additionally announced plans in September 2016 to cut 7,000 back-office jobs and just last week to fire an additional 1,000 workers.
“Anything Walmart says should be taken with a grain of salt. Today they may be announcing more jobs and more employee training, but tomorrow they could close more stores or slash more back-office jobs in Walmarts across the country.
“It is our hope that if Walmart keeps their word and does create new jobs, these jobs will provide hard-working Americans with a wage on which they can support themselves and their families; solid healthcare and other benefits; and a reliable schedule. Make no mistake, we will keep advocating for Walmart workers, no matter how many there are, until Walmart changes for the better.”