Barnes & Noble Workers Demand Fair Wages and Union Contracts: What’s Happening in NYC?

Book lovers, take note: The fight for fair treatment in the book-selling world is heating up! On Thursday, Barnes & Noble workers from three unionized NYC locations—Union Square, Park Slope, and the Upper West Side—gathered outside the company’s Union Square flagship store and corporate headquarters. Their rallying cry? A fair contract before the year ends.

The Backstory: Who’s Involved?

The employees, part of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU), were joined by allies from other unionized indie bookstores like The Strand and McNally Jackson. Their demands include fair wages, healthcare benefits, and job protections, all of which they say Barnes & Noble has been slow to deliver.

The union alleges that Barnes & Noble has refused to agree to a unified contract even for stores within the same city, like New York. They argue that the outcomes of these negotiations could set a precedent for bookstore workers across the industry.

The CEO’s Response

B&N CEO James Daunt pushed back, calling the union’s demands—reportedly including a 60% wage increase—”unreasonable” in today’s market. Daunt noted that the company has raised wages by an average of 36% since 2019 and currently pays starting NYC booksellers $18 per hour, increasing to $19 after one year. Additional pay bumps are available for promotions.

But employees argue that’s not enough to keep up with the cost of living in New York, let alone reward their contributions to a company that narrowly avoided bankruptcy just a few years ago.

A Bigger Fight

Union representatives say the stakes go beyond Barnes & Noble. What these workers achieve could ripple through the entire industry, potentially reshaping how booksellers nationwide are treated.

Taking It to the Top

After the rally, workers personally delivered letters of support from the public to Daunt at both his office and his apartment—a bold move in their fight for justice.

Why It Matters

For readers and writers alike, this isn’t just about wages. It’s about the value of books, the people who sell them, and the sustainability of an industry we all love. Whether you’re browsing in-store or filling your cart online, the people behind the counter deserve to be treated fairly.

Stay tuned as negotiations continue, and let’s see if this chapter ends with a well-earned happy ending for B&N workers. 📚✨