Massapequa Barnes & Noble first on Long Island to unionize
Barnes & Noble Massapequa workers gather ahead of their election filing with their union authorization cards at the RWDSU Local 1102 office. Credit: RWDSU Local 1102
Workers at the Massapequa Barnes & Noble voted to unionize on Friday, with a landslide 85% casting ballots in favor.
The successful union drive makes the Sunrise Highway store the first Barnes & Noble of the nine on Long Island to organize. It is now one of just eight of the nation's largest bookseller's roughly 700 stores to unionize. Three of those are in New York City, whose workers ratified contracts in March of last year.
The Massapequa workers — now part of Local 1102 of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union — say they are seeking stronger job security, better scheduling stability and clearer communication from management, among other things, according to a news release.
The newly formed union will now try to negotiate its first contract and will likely refer to the New York City collective bargaining agreements as a starting point, said a spokesperson for the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union.
The city agreements are for three years and include a general wage increase of $1 per year, and increases in the minimum starting wage to between $23 and $25 by the end of the contract, according to a past news release. The agreements also include healthcare provisions, enhanced safety measures and improved job security.
“Winning our union election means we finally have a voice to demand the respect and stability we deserve,” said Sam Migliore, a senior Massapequa bookseller, in the news release. “Seeing the incredible safety wins, wage increases, and health benefits our coworkers in the city won in their contract last year showed us exactly what is possible when we stand together. We are ready to bring that same energy to the bargaining table.”
Barnes & Noble workers have been winning a seat at the corporate table by "historic margins," said Jack Caffey, president of RWDSU Local 1102, in the release. "Massapequa workers have officially claimed their place in this movement, and we are ready to help them secure the strong contract they deserve."
Brianne Ledda covers personal finance and affordability for Newsday. She previously covered Southold and Greenport for The Suffolk Times and is a graduate of Stony Brook University.
'I've never seen fire sitting on the water' Three Newsday photographers talk to NewsdayTV's Macy Egeland about covering the tragic crash of TWA Flight 800 in 1996.
'I've never seen fire sitting on the water' Three Newsday photographers talk to NewsdayTV's Macy Egeland about covering the tragic crash of TWA Flight 800 in 1996.
