Booksellers and café workers at The Literary in Champaign, Ill., joined the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU) last month. The 21 full-time and regular part-time employees have a long list of issues they are eager to address in their upcoming contract negotiations.
Those concerns include stagnant wages, skeleton staffing, unpredictable shift scheduling, and a lack of support from upper management. With union representation secured, the workers now have a seat at the table to win a contract that aligns with the store’s community-focused, progressive mission.
“The future of The Literary is bright. A union means security; it means investment in such a cornerstone of the Champaign-Urbana community,” said bookseller Cale Hartman. “I believe with collective power, The Literary will stay true to what it means to be a third space, and the workers will be treated with the same respect and care we bring to our community every day.”
Café manager Jordan Kelsey agreed, adding that the move is good for business. “I think unionizing The Lit will make for a happier and healthier workplace and ultimately help the business flourish,” she said. “Consistent, equitable working conditions will boost our job satisfaction, work performance, and staff retention. My hope is that The Lit will be able to provide sustainable jobs for its current and future employees for years to come.”
The push to organize booksellers is intensifying, according to RWDSU President and UFCW Executive Vice President Stuart Appelbaum. “What happened in Champaign-Urbana is part of a much broader movement,” he said. “Retail, food service, and bookstore workers nationwide are declaring one shop at a time, and in one voice, that they deserve dignity, fair pay, and a real say in their daily working conditions. We are thrilled to welcome the staff of The Literary into the RWDSU, and we will stand shoulder to shoulder with them as they fight for the strong contract they need.”
Coincidently, The Literary was sold just days after the organizing campaign succeeded. In a statement, the new owners pointed to the unionizing effort as a positive reflection of employees’ commitment to the business and said they prioritize workplace safety and equitable wages across all the retail businesses they own in central Illinois.