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.
Initially, workers at the old location weren’t informed about the new store opening nor offered positions at the new one, even as signs announcing the new location began to spring up across the street from the old store. The union filed several unfair labor practice charges to protect their jobs and their right to transfer to the new location. The pressure the union applied worked, and for many workers who live in the neighborhood, this was a huge win as they get to work at the new store on the same street, serving the same customers.
On March, 20 workers at another brand new H&M store – located in downtown New York City in SoHo – joined RWDSU/UFCW Local 1102, and they’ve already ratified their first contract, guaranteeing paid time off, sick days, medical coverage, and more.
RWDSU/UFCW Local 1102 now represents H&M workers at 15 locations throughout Manhattan and Long Island, N.Y.
