They would’ve gone on strike at midnight, but now they have a deal.
Macy’s Inc., and the union representing over 4,000 employees at four of its New York stores reached a tentative agreement on a five-year labor contract. The deal stops Macy’s from having their first strike since 1972.
Employees at Macy’s Herald Square store voted on the contract today. Workers at the Bronx, Westchester and Queens locations will vote next week. Macy’s did not disclose the terms of the new contract.
“The workers at Macy’s today are sending a clear message to all working people throughout this country: when people join together in strong unions, they can fight back and win,” said Retail Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU) President Stuart Appelbaum. “While working people throughout this state and country have been under assault, the unionized workers at Macy’s have been able to make impressive gains. It is a lesson that working people everywhere need to understand.”
Union members wanted better wages, pensions, health benefits, and hours. The union also said that an uptick in sales and profit gains warrants their desired improvements.