We are unionizing at H&M!
All retail work is demanding, and things at H&M are no different. We work hard to keep our busy stores running, but we often don’t feel like we have the support and working conditions we need to thrive. That’s why so many of us have come together, started unions, and won union contracts to improve what we get at our stores! We’ve already built considerable momentum by embracing our collective voice – and our leverage only increases as we grow.
When you have a union at your H&M store, you get a voice on the job and you’re able to speak up for what you need. This lets you make H&M a place for a career that works for you! Now is the perfect time to get plugged into our growing national campaign, so if you’d like to take the next step – fill out the form below. A UFCW organizer will reach out to learn more about your story and what you’d like to see changed at your H&M store.
Hear from our members:
Our Story So Far
The H&M union is a growing national movement, with 21 different stores represented by UFCW and the Retail, Wholesale, and Department Store Union (RWDSU). Many of our stores are spread across New York and Florida!
Our growth over the last few months has been inspiring, and we can’t wait to see what we’re able to win as our union continues to evolve. If you work at H&M and want to join us in this pivotal chapter – fill out the form above.
Recent Victories at H&M
Retail workers vote to form Florida’s first H&M union
May 6th, 2024 — Melbourne, FL “Retail workers at an H&M clothing store in Melbourne overwhelmingly voted to unionize Friday, forming a historic first H&M union in the state of Florida.”
This is such a memorable victory, as it marks the beginning of an exciting new campaign for H&M workers in the South. These workers can use the power of their union to overcome the challenges seen in right-to-work states and secure important job protections in writing.
H&M Workers in New York Join Local 888
April 24, 2024 — Brooklyn, NY “About 40 workers at the H&M store on Fulton Street in Brooklyn, N.Y., recently joined UFCW Local 888 for a better life.
These workers joined our union family because they were concerned about significant workplace issues that affected the quality of their employment, including favoritism and unfair treatment. The campaign to organize these workers included key players who were instrumental to its success, like Brooklyn H&M worker Tiffany Nicolas…”
H&M Workers in New York Join RWDSU/UFCW
NYC — April 10, 2024 “Workers at two H&M clothing stores in New York City recently joined RWDSU/UFCW Local 1102.
Thirty-three H&M workers in Harlem on 125th St. became the first new members to join the RWDSU/UFCW in 2024. The workers at the store are joined by RWDSU/UFCW Local 1102 members who have transferred to the new store from the recently closed old Harlem location – also on 125th St. – that was located very near to the new location…
What We’re Fighting for at H&M
Living Wages and Fair Raises
At each store we unionize, we are making H&M a career job. All of us deserve fair compensation for all our hard work. We also deserve pay raises that keep up with the cost of living in our expensive cities!
Having a union at H&M gives us the power to negotiate fair pay and secure higher wages in a contract.
Clearer Career Paths at H&M
With a union contract, we can have the ability to set standards for how we progress with our career at H&M — making a fairer and more consistent promotion system for all of us who want to grow and make careers here.
Consistent Schedules and Access to Full Time Status
We’re unionizing to establish consistency in our schedules and improve our access to full-time status! We should be able to predict when we’re going to work each week, so that we can take care of our families and balance our personal obligations. And, with contract language regarding full-time status, we can establish a clearer path to making H&M a career job!
Protection from Favoritism and Unfair Treatment
Favoritism and unfair treatment have no place at H&M! That’s why we’re starting our union and fighting to resolve these issues. With our union, we can hold management to the new standards we set with our contract – ensuring that all team members get treated fairly and have their voices heard.
Comprehensive Medical Coverage and Wellness / Sick Leave
We all get sick from time to time, so we shouldn’t have to worry about missing a paycheck or fronting big medical bills when we need to take care of ourselves. That’s why we’re fighting for robust sick leave and comprehensive medical coverage – all written into a union contract.
Paid Time Off
Retail work can be incredibly demanding, and we all deserve time to recharge. Negotiating adequate paid time off helps us stay fresh, live balanced lives, and better serve our customers in the long run.
A Voice on the Job
At many of our stores, we don’t feel like we have the support that we need to do our best work. Starting a union at H&M gives us a voice in our stores and the opportunity to speak up for what we need.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What have H&M workers already won with their unions?
Through starting our union, we’ve already been able to ratify first contracts and secure important protections in writing! In SoHo, for instance, we recently ratified a deal that guaranteed paid time off, sick days, comprehensive medical coverage, and more.
How many H&M stores nationwide have started unions?
Right now, we’ve formed unions at 21 H&M stores across the country. The majority of our union stores are in New York and in Florida.
This recent victory marks the beginning of an exciting chapter for our movement, and we’re excited to see who joins us next from new cities & states.
What does it mean to form a union with UFCW?
Us H&M workers are coming together to build better careers at our stores, and we’re doing this with the support of the UFCW. They help us map out our workplaces, have initial conversations with our coworkers, and navigate the union election process as seamlessly as possible.
When you get in touch with a UFCW organizer about what’s happening at your H&M store, you’re taking the first step towards negotiating key workplace improvements. UFCW union organizers can answer any questions you have about the organizing process and help you start on the right foot.
Would having a union interfere with the things I like about my H&M store?
Starting a union will not get in the way of the things you love about H&M! In fact, having a union helps you protect the policies you like and improve the working conditions you need to see changed.
With a union, H&M is required to negotiate with you and your coworkers over any proposed changes to your working conditions. This means, if they want to shake up the way your store is run – you all get a say!
What’s the safest way to start a union at my H&M?
The best way to start a union at your H&M store is to connect with a UFCW union organizer. After you fill out our form, they’ll reach out to learn more about your workplace and what you’d like to see changed.
Our organizers helped us have strategic conversations with our coworkers, and they’ll help you come up with a concrete plan for keeping the momentum going week after week!