Why Barnes & Noble Workers Formed Their First Union

Barnes & Noble workers in Massachusetts just won the first-ever union at the book-selling giant. The vote was unanimous, extending a wave of union victories among retail workers around the country.

We spoke to workers in Hadley, MA, and at the flagship store in New York City to understand why workers are unionizing.

They told us they make minimum wage and are at the whims of a huge, out-of-touch corporation. They’re fighting for higher pay, more stable schedules, better training, safer working conditions, and a voice in their workplace.

Workers at the Hadley store organized with UFCW. Workers at the Union Square store, and now at a store in Park Slope, NYC, are organizing with RWDSU.