Luxury retailer’s employees to unionize

[FarCenter]

Cole Haan workers in three Manhattan stores vote to join RWDSU.

On Friday, 53 employees of accessories and apparel company Cole Haan voted to join the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union. They had been working toward the election for about four months, and, pending confirmation with the National Labor Relations Board, will push for a contract that guarantees better working conditions.

The employees, who work at three Cole Haan stores in Rockefeller Center, Columbus Circle and Madison Avenue, include part-time sales associates, stock-room employees and cashiers.

“They took away the sales associates’ 8% commission and put them on an hourly rate—some of them lost over $500 or $600 a week,” said Joseph Dorismond, the lead RWDSU organizer for this campaign. He noted that the Cole Haan employees are hoping to get more hours and an improved health care package.
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http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20090825/FREE/908259981

[ParkieDem]

1. This is good news.

I just hope the company doesn't use the economy to lay off all its workers now.

Hey, it's Cole-Haan, they may go out and whine "all those investment bankers lost their jobs and aren't buying our shoes!"

:nopity:

[Laelth]

2. k&r for labor. n/t

:dem:

-Laelth

[MountainLaurel]

3. Good for them! n/t

[endless october]

4. good. unionize Walmart next.