Workers at the H&M store in Howell, Mich., joined UFCW Local 876 on Dec. 5. This is the second unit of H&M workers to join the local, which also represents workers at the H&M store in Detroit, who became the first H&M workers to unionize in Michigan.
The workers, who are employed as sales advisors, joined UFCW Local 876 out of concerns about insufficient wages, hours, and staffing, as well as workplace safety issues and harassment complaints.
The campaign to organize these workers included maintaining an open line of communication between union staff and workers. H&M workers from the Detroit store also reached out to the workers in Howell about the benefits of joining UFCW Local 876. H&M workers from both stores are communicating with one another and recognize that there is strength in numbers as they work to build momentum across the state of Michigan and raise standards at all H&M stores.
“From clothing racks that don’t move to high humidity and temperature in the store in the summer, our store has had its share of problems,” said Lauren Eldred, who works at the H&M store in Howell. “It has become clear in the two years I’ve worked at H&M that individual complaints, no matter how many or how frequent, weren’t enough to make the company listen. I’m proud that we came together and voted in favor of joining this union. I know that if we work together, we can improve working conditions for everyone in the store.”
“For too long, these workers had their concerns brushed aside by the company, while struggling with low pay and unsafe conditions; those days are over,” said UFCW Local 876 President Dan Pedersen. “By standing together, the H&M workers in Howell have turned their frustrations into a force to be reckoned with; one the company can no longer overlook. They are joining a family of nearly 20,000 members from across Michigan, who will stand with them every step of the way in their fight for a fair and equitable contract. Welcome to UFCW 876 – we’re stronger together!”