Workers at the Half Price Books store in Wichita, Kan., recently joined UFCW Local 2 for the better wages and benefits that come with a union contract. This organizing win is part of the national Half Price Books Workers United campaign.
The 12 Half Price Books workers at the Wichita store joined our union family because they wanted better benefits and a clear path to resolve issues, including a grievance procedure. They also wanted better wages, as well as an improved health and welfare plan.
The campaign to organize these workers included meeting with the workers at the Wichita store and putting them in touch with other Half Price Books workers around the country who have joined our union. Representatives from UFCW Local 2 also created a virtual campaign, and used it as a main force for organizing so that workers could feel more comfortable telling their stories.
These workers are looking forward to negotiating their first union contract.
“I am passionate about the cause of unionizing because of the good I have seen it do for our company already,” said Ana Kalnina, who works at the Half Price Books store in Wichita. “Because of the stores that are bargaining, we have already seen increased wages and improved safety policies across all locations. I hope that corporate can see our union efforts for what they are–a labor of love for our stores and coworkers.”
The hard-working booksellers at Half Price Books in Kansas are the latest bookstore workers from this chain to join the UFCW. Half Price Books workers in Coon Rapids, Roseville, St. Paul, and St. Louis Park, Minn., are members of UFCW Locals 663 and 1189; Half Price Books workers in Greenwood, Ind., are members of UFCW Local 700; Half Price Books workers in Niles, Ill., are members of UFCW local 1546; and Half Price Books workers in in east Louisville, Ky., are members of UFCW Local 227.
