Workers at the Borders Bookstore in the Uptown neighborhood of Minneapolis voted to ratify a contract proposal, signing only the second collective bargaining agreement in the company's more than 1,200 stores.
The historic pact came after two years of negotiations between Borders Group, Inc., and United Food & Commercial Workers Local 789. Borders' first contract offer was rejected in September 2003.
The contract's highlights include improved holiday pay for part-time employees, creation of an in-store labor-management committee, creation of a grievance and arbitration process, establishment of seniority rights, union security language, and a just cause termination provision.
"This is a significant victory for these workers," said Don Seaquist, president of Local 789, "They have worked and fought for every bit of this contract. They deserve our thanks."
Since voting to join UFCW Local 789 in October 2002, the workers at the Uptown Borders have engaged in an innovative public campaign to get a fair contract settlement. Their activities included:
* In the wake of the union election, they launched www.bordersunion.org, now an international clearinghouse for union activities at Borders Books.
* During the spring of 2003, a successful one-day boycott was followed by a one-day 'Buy-In' where shoppers bought books to show their support of the union.
* In May 2003, they began a campaign urging hundreds of supporters to write to Borders.
* In June 2003, the workers staged simultaneous actions at the multiple stores' midnight release parties for the newest Harry Potter book.
* In August 2003, they participated in a National Borders Day of Action in support of striking Borders workers in Ann Arbor, Mich.
* In late 2003, they participated in the first ever national Borders union organizing coordinating call.
* In December 2003, they mailed every Borders store in the U.S. with union organizing updates.
* In January of 2004, they hosted the Midwest's first Union Booksellers' Forum.
* Their efforts were endorsed by the Minnesota State AFL-CIO at its 2003 state convention.
The success of the Minneapolis Uptown Borders Union has prompted union organizing efforts in Michigan, Illinois, Florida, New Jersey, and Australia, the union said.
UFCW Local 789 has 7,500 members in Minnesota and is the sponsor of www.youareworthmore.org and www.bordersunion.org. Local 789 is currently involved in organizing workers retail workers across the Twin Cities metro area.
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Workers at the Borders Bookstore in the Uptown neighborhood of Minneapolis voted to ratify a contract proposal, signing only the second collective bargaining agreement in the company’s more than 1,200 stores.
The historic pact came after two years of negotiations between Borders Group, Inc., and United Food & Commercial Workers Local 789. Borders’ first contract offer was rejected in September 2003.
The contract’s highlights include improved holiday pay for part-time employees, creation of an in-store labor-management committee, creation of a grievance and arbitration process, establishment of seniority rights, union security language, and a just cause termination provision.
“This is a significant victory for these workers,” said Don Seaquist, president of Local 789, “They have worked and fought for every bit of this contract. They deserve our thanks.”
Since voting to join UFCW Local 789 in October 2002, the workers at the Uptown Borders have engaged in an innovative public campaign to get a fair contract settlement. Their activities included:
* In the wake of the union election, they launched www.bordersunion.org, now an international clearinghouse for union activities at Borders Books.
* During the spring of 2003, a successful one-day boycott was followed by a one-day ‘Buy-In’ where shoppers bought books to show their support of the union.
* In May 2003, they began a campaign urging hundreds of supporters to write to Borders.
* In June 2003, the workers staged simultaneous actions at the multiple stores’ midnight release parties for the newest Harry Potter book.
* In August 2003, they participated in a National Borders Day of Action in support of striking Borders workers in Ann Arbor, Mich.
* In late 2003, they participated in the first ever national Borders union organizing coordinating call.
* In December 2003, they mailed every Borders store in the U.S. with union organizing updates.
* In January of 2004, they hosted the Midwest’s first Union Booksellers’ Forum.
* Their efforts were endorsed by the Minnesota State AFL-CIO at its 2003 state convention.
The success of the Minneapolis Uptown Borders Union has prompted union organizing efforts in Michigan, Illinois, Florida, New Jersey, and Australia, the union said.
UFCW Local 789 has 7,500 members in Minnesota and is the sponsor of www.youareworthmore.org and www.bordersunion.org. Local 789 is currently involved in organizing workers retail workers across the Twin Cities metro area.