Strand Bookstore Workers Strike for Better Wages Amid Holiday Rush

Unionized booksellers at New York’s iconic Strand Bookstore began striking…

Represented by UAW Local 2179, the approximately 90 unionized employees have been working without a contract since November 28, when their previous agreement expired.

Unionized booksellers at New York’s iconic Strand Bookstore began striking on Saturday, December 7, in their fight for a new contract. Represented by UAW Local 2179, the approximately 90 unionized employees have been working without a contract since November 28, when their previous agreement expired. After authorizing a strike in November, workers took to the picket line as negotiations over wages hit a standstill.

The Current Status

Negotiations between the union and management are set to resume today, Monday, December 9, at 10:30 AM. According to union representative Will Bobrowski, the union has paused picketing for now but is prepared to return to the line if talks don’t progress.

“Our members are ready to keep going,” said Bobrowski. “They’re fired up, they’re energetic, and we’re prepared to strike for as long as it takes.” Despite the strike, the union remains open to dialogue with management. “It’s really down to management making some movement on money,” Bobrowski added.

The Key Issue: Wages

Wages remain the central sticking point in the negotiations. The union is demanding that new hires start at $0.50 above minimum wage with an additional $0.50 raise after nine months. For current employees, the union is seeking a $2 per hour raise in the first year, followed by $1.50 increases in the second and third years. Management has countered with a $1.50 hourly raise in the first year and $1 increases in the second and third years.

Bobrowski emphasized the modesty of the union’s demands: “Our ask of 50 cents more per year for people who are making close to minimum wage is not exactly outrageous.”

Management’s Perspective

Carson Moss, Strand’s chief operating officer, released a statement acknowledging the financial pressures on the business while defending the store’s offer.

“Bookselling is a challenging business, labor-intensive coupled with slim margins, but we remain fiercely dedicated to its mission,” Moss said. “We respect and value our staff, and we have made sizable economic offers during this contract negotiation accordingly. The union has not been willing to accept those increases so far.”

Moss also emphasized the importance of sustaining the store’s operations: “Every decision we make is an effort to keep our business alive and maintain responsibility for our 150+ employees, and to continue serving our community as we have for the last 97 years.”

Impact on Operations

With the holiday shopping season in full swing, the strike has disrupted operations at the Strand. Striking workers include those at the Brooklyn warehouse, the truck driver responsible for transporting stock to the Manhattan store, and employees handling customer service, shipping online orders, and buying used books. This has created challenges in restocking shelves and fulfilling customer orders.

“There’s a handful of managers trying to run the business,” said Bobrowski. “I can’t imagine they have the time to restock the tables. There’s a lot of work.”

A Critical Moment

The strike highlights broader tensions in the retail and bookselling industries, where slim profit margins and rising costs often clash with workers’ demands for fair pay. As one of New York’s most beloved bookstores, the outcome of these negotiations will not only affect the Strand’s workers but also its ability to serve its community during this crucial holiday season.

Both sides will reconvene today, with workers holding their ground for better wages and management pushing to keep the store afloat during its busiest time of year.

Tina Pavlik

Owner of TRS since 2003

An aficionado of romance novels for many years, Tina has owned The Romance Studio since 2003 and for 20 years, has enjoyed highlighting the best books in the genre. She enjoys all aspects of marketing including writing content, book trailer design, and finding captivating new books for voracious readers. She has also written over 20 romance titles under various pen names. In another life, she writes horror.

This post contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you.