Workers at Greenlight Bookstore and Yours Truly, Brooklyn stationery have ratified a new three-year contract, securing wage increases, expanded paid time off, and improved scheduling protections, according to Local 1102 of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU). The contract was unanimously approved in a vote held on March 13.
The agreement includes an 11% wage increase over three years, with a 5% raise in 2025, followed by 3% increases in both 2026 and 2027. Other key provisions include an increase in the minimum hiring rate, additional paid holidays, and a policy allowing workers to roll over unused PTO until March 31 of the following year.
Workers also won stronger healthcare benefits, with the company increasing its contributions by 5% annually throughout the contract while employees’ contributions remain unchanged. Additionally, the contract establishes “safe scheduling” rules, requiring a minimum of three employees for all opening and closing shifts.
“I’m really proud of our new contract,” said Maritza Montañez, a buyer at Greenlight Bookstore and a union steward. “This contract has substantially increased PTO, created more opportunities for promotions, and significantly increased compensation for all workers. I also believe this strong contract will decrease turnover, make better use of booksellers’ skillsets, and ultimately benefit the entire company as well as our customers and community.”
The new contract is part of a broader wave of union activity in the bookselling industry. RWDSU Local 1102 also represents workers at Barnes & Noble stores in New York and Illinois, who recently ratified their first contracts, as well as employees at McNally Jackson, Goods for the Study, and Book Culture. Together with union members at The Strand, bookstore workers now represent about 40% of major corporate and independent bookstore locations in New York City.
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