UFCW is the union for retail workers.
The retail sector is a growth industry and it’s essential that we turn retail jobs into good, middle-class jobs with fair scheduling practices for the sake of our communities, economy and country.
Retail companies are the largest source of private-sector employers in the economy.
It is the third largest industry employing women behind the healthcare industry and educational institutions and the second largest industry for people of color behind the healthcare industry.
While the retail sector continues to add jobs to the economy, many of these jobs are low-wage, part-time positions with high turnover.
Between 1990 and 2014, real wages for retail workers barely increased or, in many cases, actually decreased. After adjusting for inflation, the average wage at apparel stores fell one percent (from $12.12 to $12.01) and the average wage at general merchandise stores fell seven percent (from $12.36 to $11.51).
But some workers in retail have decided to get together and go a different path. One of the best ways to raise wages in retail is through joining a union. The average department store salesperson working full-time earns $2.60 more an hour or $5,400 more per year for full-time workers if they belong to a union. (BBNA, 2014 Union Membership and Earnings Data Book).
In addition to fighting for better wages, the UFCW is also fighting for greater control of and predictability in scheduling.
Irresponsible employers try to manipulate our hours to cut benefits, suppress workers’ access to proper income and narrow the ability of retail workers to move up the economic ladder. Workers shouldn’t have to deal with this kind of insecurity on a day-to-day basis, especially when they’re the ones keeping stores running and bringing in profit for their companies.
Having a union in our retail stores can help protect against inconsistent schedules, reductions to benefits, and stagnant wages. That’s why retail workers at major companies like Zara, H&M, Lush, Ikea, and Macy’s are deciding to come together and start their unions with the help of UFCW.
Within the UFCW is the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU). The RWDSU was started in New York in the 1930s and became part of the UFCW in 1993. You can learn more about the RWDSU here.
Hear from our members:
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are retail workers across the country starting unions?
As the retail industry expands, wages and working conditions have become increasingly stagnant. Many workers struggle to pay the bills and live balanced lives while working in a retail environment. That’s why hundreds of thousands of hardworking people nationwide are starting their retail unions with the support of UFCW!
What large retailers does UFCW represent?
UFCW represents over 100,000 retail workers at Macy’s, H&M, CVS, Zara, Walgreens, Rite Aid, REI, Patagonia, and other major companies. UFCW has helped retail staff come together with their coworkers, win union elections, and get strong union contracts that lead to better careers in the industry.
What are UFCW and RWDSU?
The United Food & Commercial Workers Union (UFCW) consists of over 1.2 Million members fighting for better working conditions. Within UFCW is the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU). The RWDSU was started in New York in the 1930s and became part of the UFCW in 1993. You can learn more about the RWDSU here.
What have retail workers across the country already won in their union contracts?
In their union contracts, retail workers nationwide have won comprehensive healthcare plans, guaranteed paid time off, sick leave, better wages, fair scheduling practices, and much more!
When you’re negotiating your union contract, you get to advocate for the policies and improvements that matter to you.
What kinds of improvements can I make to my working conditions with a union?
With a union at your retail job, you get to speak up for exactly what you need. If you need a more balanced schedule to do your best work, you and your coworkers can push for better scheduling practices in your union contract! The same applies to higher wages, healthcare, paid time off, or any other protections you need to make a career out of your retail job.
Am I allowed to talk about starting a union with my coworkers?
Under the National Labor Relations Act of 1935, you have the right to talk about your working conditions and starting a union, even when you’re on the clock. This applies to all retail jobs, including yours!
However, it’s always important to be careful and strategic when and where you talk about your union at work. If you reach out to a UFCW union organizer, they can help you figure out the safest way to discuss starting a union with your coworkers.
What are the first steps in starting a union as a retail worker?
It all starts with talking to your coworkers and seeing what they’d like to change about the way your store is run. When you reach out to a UFCW union organizer, they can help you figure out who to talk to first and how to keep things moving as you ‘map out’ your retail store.
