In a landmark victory for retail workers and labor unions, Barnes & Noble employees at three New York City locations have officially ratified their first-ever union contracts, setting a new industry standard for wages, workplace safety, and job security. The agreements, negotiated with the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union, mark the first union contracts in Barnes & Noble’s history, covering over 200 workers at the Union Square Flagship, Park Slope, and West 82nd Street stores.
The Bloomington, Illinois Barnes & Noble store has also reached a tentative agreement, with a ratification vote scheduled for Saturday, March 8, 2025.
This victory comes after years of organizing and marks a turning point for bookstore employees nationwide, offering protections that go beyond New York’s Retail Worker Safety Act and paving the way for future union efforts in the industry.
Key Wins in the Barnes & Noble Union Contracts
Barnes & Noble workers secured major improvements in their contracts, including:
1. Industry-Leading Wage Increases
📈 Minimum wage increases by $4.00 before the contract even takes effect
📈 Annual general wage increases (GWI) of $1.00 per year
📈 New hire minimum wages rising to between $23.00-$25.00 per hour by the end of the contract
2. Comprehensive Safety Protections
🛡️ Mandatory safety equipment, including back braces, wrist guards, and anti-slip mats
🛡️ Stools for booksellers and baristas, ensuring workers can sit when needed
🛡️ A safety committee dedicated to enforcing workplace protections
🛡️ De-escalation training to handle difficult customer interactions
🛡️ A clear process to ban customers who harass or threaten employees
3. Improved Workplace Conditions
🏢 A new breakroom at the Union Square store, replacing the cramped basement closet workers previously used
🚕 Paid transportation for late-night shifts, ensuring safe commutes after inventory shifts
📅 Stronger job security and seniority protections, including priority transfers to other Barnes & Noble stores
🚨 Guaranteed pay during store emergency closures
4. RWDSU Healthcare Benefits
💊 Access to RWDSU’s comprehensive union healthcare plan
💼 Better protections for workers affected by layoffs or store relocations
5. Anti-Discrimination & Training Initiatives
📚 Annual anti-discrimination training for all employees
⚖️ Stronger policies to prevent favoritism and unfair scheduling practices
Why This Victory Matters for Retail Workers
Barnes & Noble workers organized not just for higher wages, but for safe and fair working conditions. Retail employees nationwide face increasing safety concerns, unstable scheduling, and low wages—issues that have led to a surge in unionizing efforts across major retailers like REI, Starbucks, and Apple.
RWDSU President Stuart Appelbaum praised the workers for raising the standard for retail labor:
“A union is the only way to ensure workplace protections are secure—especially now, while laws protecting workers are under attack. This shows that fair contracts can be reached in a reasonable time. If only REI could take a page out of Barnes & Noble’s book, more retail workers could have the protections of a union contract.”
Workers who participated in negotiations expressed relief and excitement:
✅ “Finally having a ratified contract is immeasurably meaningful. The safety provisions we fought for will keep me and my coworkers safe.” – Bear Spiegel, Bookseller, Union Square Flagship
✅ “When we started organizing, we were making minimum wage in unacceptable conditions. Now, we finally have guaranteed raises, excellent healthcare, and job security.” – Aaron Lascano, Senior Bookseller, Union Square Flagship
✅ “This contract represents over a year of struggle. We fought hard for every inch, and every contract ratified is a step toward ensuring that bookstore employees are treated with respect.” – James Dolezal, Senior Bookseller, Park Slope
✅ “I’m really pleased to have secured access to chairs and job security protections. This is history in the making!” – Eve Greenlow, Bookseller, West 82nd Street
Growing Unionization at Barnes & Noble
This contract ratification comes as union efforts at Barnes & Noble stores continue to gain momentum. Seven locations across the country have already unionized, with more expected to follow.
📍 Barnes & Noble locations with ratified RWDSU contracts:
- Union Square Flagship, NYC – 33 E 17th St, New York, NY 10003
- Park Slope, Brooklyn – 267 7th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11215
- West 82nd Street, NYC – 2289 Broadway, New York, NY 10024
📍 Pending ratification vote:
- Bloomington, Illinois – March 8, 2025
With this historic milestone, Barnes & Noble workers have set a new precedent for the retail industry, proving that unionization leads to tangible improvements in wages, safety, and job security. Their victory is a blueprint for bookstore workers nationwide, and a powerful reminder that collective action works.
What’s Next for Barnes & Noble Workers?
As more stores push for union representation, retailers across the country are watching closely. Will other Barnes & Noble locations follow suit? Will major book chains like Books-A-Million or Indigo face similar union efforts?
The success of Barnes & Noble workers in New York and Illinois may inspire a new wave of organizing—not just in bookstores, but across the entire retail industry.
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