Late last week, much of the staff of Elliott Bay Book Company, Seattle, Wash., announced the creation of a union called the Book Workers Union, which was quickly recognized by owner Peter Aaron.
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| Organizer Tony Manno with Elliott Bay staff. | |
The union aims, it said, "to build a more just and equitable workplace through collective action... The union's members believe a bookstore is much more than a retail space, and they will work to make sure Elliott Bay's role in the community reflects the values and character of its staff. The union hopes to make Elliott Bay a more diverse and democratic workplace that offers its employees trust and transparency, a place where going above-and-beyond is not simply expected but encouraged and rewarded, a place where ideas are implemented and talents utilized. It will bargain for strong health insurance, paid parental leave, and competitive wages so that the bookstore can lower the turnover rate, spend less time running to catch up with business demands, and spend more time finding ways to increase customer and employee engagement.
"The booksellers are also seeking increased retirement benefits so those who choose to spend decades enriching our workplace can one day pass the torch without fear of destitution."
In a statement, Aaron said, "I acknowledge and support the right of workers to organize, and as such recognized the Book Workers Union without hesitation or reluctance. As we prepare to going the process of negotiating in a collective bargaining agreement, I am looking toward positive outcomes. The booksellers are unified and a unified staff is a good thing for the store, our customers and the community at large. Additionally, the union has expressed a strong devotion to the wellbeing of the store. Since we share this dedication, I have every reason to believe that we can proceed amicably toward a mutually-satisfactory agreement which will ensure and enhance the vitality of the store. I'm looking forward to working with the union's representatives toward reaching that destination."
The official announcement of the union was made on Friday, when an excited crowd of more than 60 congregated outside the store on a characteristically drizzly Friday morning. The weather wasn't a buzzkill--although the recent WHO announcement classifying coronavirus as a pandemic, and related social distancing and business closures in Seattle were on everyone's mind.
Bookseller Lara Kaminoff, part of the union organizing committee for the last six months, told Shelf Awareness, "We obviously did not anticipate [the pandemic], no one could see this crisis coming, but now more than ever it's important that workers collaborate with leadership in order to ensure continued protection of our jobs and our health and the livelihood of the bookstore, as well. We're really excited to work together toward a productive and happy future."
At the press conference, Tony Manno, another bookseller who had been helping organize the union, began a short statement about the new union and its near immediate recognition. "We're very encouraged by this move. We work very closely with managers at Elliott Bay. We all take on many of the tasks at the store. And we're very excited that they recognize what a thoughtful and talented staff they have, who keep every corner and aspect of the store running. Our goal with this union is to achieve a contract that allows us to survive in Seattle, a city where workers are continuing to be squeezed more and more. We're looking for an increase in pay. We're looking for better healthcare. And we're looking for more democratic decision-making within the business. We also want this to allow us to demonstrate a full creative potential at this store to better serve the community at large."
He talked, too, about income inequality in Seattle, characterized by increasing homelessness at the same that "companies like Amazon... are reaping billions in profits and paying nothing in taxes." He ended by saying, "Buy a book online, if you're in self-quarantine. We'll be pushing online sales as much as we can. Please just support our beloved bookstore. All the booksellers here love this place so much, and we want to keep it running absolutely for as long as possible into the future. The Book Workers Union is digging in our heels here, and Elliott Bay is here to stay." --Dave Wheeler