Photo Courtesy of AFL-CIO

Members of UAW Local 2179 at the Strand Bookstore held a strike authorization vote last week, with 92 percent of members who voted approving a walk-out. A strike would be the first at the legendary bookstore since the 1990s.

“We’re sending a message to the company that we’re willing to do whatever it takes,” Andrew Stando, a visual merchandiser at the Strand and member of the union’s bargaining committee, said of the strike authorization vote. “Pay is a real problem for our members. We have a lot of people living paycheck to paycheck and barely making rent and we’re willing to do whatever it takes to get a living wage.”

The union represents around 80 workers at the Strand’s main location near Union Square, its Upper West Side location and employees at its warehouse in Brooklyn. Workers’ last contract expired at the end of August, but the union agreed to several extensions through Thanksgiving. Workers are meeting with management today for one final bargaining session before the contract expires Nov. 28. The union could agree to extend the contract once again, continue bargaining after it expires, or strike as soon as Friday.

“We want to have this wrapped up by the holidays but that doesn’t mean we want to accept a bad contract; we want to deliver for our members,” Stando said. “The ball is in their court right now. We have been very firm in our demands.” Read more from The Chief-Leader!

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