Posts Categorized: Bookstore

On June 2, workers at The Center for Fiction, a literary nonprofit in Brooklyn, N.Y., joined the RWDSU/UFCW. This organizing win came after a delegation representing a clear supermajority of workers at The Center for Fiction sought voluntary recognition of their union from the nonprofit on May 15. The employer responded and formally recognized the union on May 28. On June 2, authorization cards were reviewed, solidifying the RWDSU/UFCW as the official bargaining representative under the National Labor Relations Act.

The workers, who hold positions ranging from booksellers to baristas to event production coordinators, are seeking to resolve a range of workplace issues, but are focused on having a seat at the table and a voice in decision-making, scheduling, job descriptions and policy at The Center for Fiction. The union and the organization are set to begin bargaining their first contract soon to resolve these issues and more.

“As writers, artists, community members and workers, we are proud that The Center for Fiction has voluntarily recognized our union,” said Henri Seguin, a bookseller at The Center for Fiction. “We know the positive impact that collective action contributes towards fair wages, transparent contracts and collaborative communication and we are eager to see it reflected at the negotiation table. We look forward to making The Center a fair, welcoming and empowering space for all.”

“We are thrilled that our union has been voluntarily recognized,” said Abbie Greenbaum, a barista and bartender at The Center for Fiction. “We have the utmost respect for everyone who works at The Center, and we are so excited to see the ways in which our collective action can make The Center an even more powerful institution. We can’t wait to begin bargaining.”

“It’s not fiction – the workers at The Center for Fiction now have a union,” said RWDSU President Stuart Appelbaum. “With a union contract in place, workers will gain the clarity and stability they deserve – knowing their schedules, understanding their job roles, and having a real voice in workplace policies and decisions. Bookstore workers are a vital part of our communities and the stores they run, which is why they must have a voice at work to ensure the industry continues to thrive. The Center for Fiction did the right thing by recognizing that a supermajority of its workers want to be represented by the RWDSU, and by not delaying recognition, and we welcome yet another bookstore into our union family today.”

Workers at the PetSmart store in East Hartford, Conn., voted to join UFCW Local 371 on April 11, becoming the first unit of PetSmart workers in the state to unionize.

The 36 workers, who are employed as store leads, groomers and bathers, and pet specialists, joined our union because they were concerned about insufficient pay and workplace safety, among other issues, and wanted a voice in the workplace. The campaign to organize these workers included biweekly Zoom meetings, which were attended by a majority of the workers; weekly one-on-one phone calls to workers; and events, including a bowling night, a meetup at a Dave & Buster’s restaurant, and a solidarity action at the store where UFCW members and other union members affiliated with AFL-CIO shopped with their dogs to show union support for the upcoming election.

These workers are happy to be a part of our union and looking forward to negotiating a first union contract that addresses workplace issues.

“We voted to join a union because we want our voices to be heard when it comes to our future at PetSmart,” said Pratima Singh, who is a PetsHotel associate lead. “We deserve to feel appreciated and secure in our jobs where we care for pets like they’re our own.”

“It takes great strength and dedication to stand up for what you believe is truly right, and I am honored to call myself a member of a group of people who did just that,” said Hilary Tennyson, who is a professional bather. “Together, we can finally advocate not only for the pay, workplace safety, and respect we as workers deserve, but also give a voice to the beloved pets in our care.”

“I wanted to start this union to truly have a say in how my job affects me and the pets I care about,” said Chris Boucher, a pet care specialist. “PetSmart has never seemed to listen to its workers or care about the issues we face. With a union, I look forward to our voices continuing to be heard so that we can improve our jobs and make PetSmart a place where we can enjoy what we do again.”

This organizing win marks the fourth unit of PetSmart workers to join the UFCW. Workers at the PetSmart store in Mishawaka, Ind., became the first PetSmart store in the county to unionize by joining UFCW Local 700 in October 2024. Workers at the PetSmart store in Midland, Texas, voted to join UFCW Local 540 this January, and workers at the PetSmart store in Royal Oak, Mich., voted to join UFCW Local 876 in March. You can learn more about the PetSmart campaign here.