Labor leaders to visit Bloomies

The show of strength comes as the retailer negotiates a new union contract with employees. 

By Adrianne Pasquarelli

Look out, shoppers. Bloomingdale's might be a little more crowded than usual on Wednesday. As the retailer negotiates a new union contract, five city and state labor leaders will conduct a walk-through at Bloomingdale's East 59th Street flagship on Wednesday afternoon.

 Those involved include Stuart Appelbaum, president of the Retail Wholesale and Department Store Union; Richard Whalen, regional director and vice president of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union; and Local 3 President Cassandra Berrocal. They'll visit the store, take pictures and speak with employees about current working conditions.

“New York's labor leaders are coming together to show that a fair contract for Bloomingdale's isn't just a priority for RWDSU Local 3 members and the UFCW, but also for organized labor throughout the entire city and state,” said Mr. Applebaum, in a statement.

The 2,000 workers, who are already union members employed at the 59th Street store of Macy's Inc.-owned Bloomingdales, are negotiating for a new contract, according to a union spokeswoman.

A Macy's spokesman did not immediately return calls requesting comment.

The union's proposed four-year contract includes a general wage increase, profit sharing, negotiable commission rates, an increase in hiring rates and an increase in night premium pay. It also asks for improved benefits and an extension of the store workers' security plan. Bloomingdale's is proposing a seven-year contract which includes ending contributions to the security plan, as well as grandfathered provisions for late nights and certain severance provisions.