(NEW YORK CITY) – With several Elected Officials standing by their side, Representatives of the Retail Worker Members of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU) introduced the Retail Worker Safety Act in Herald Square.

For Retail Workers toiling on the front lines, retail violence is a growing workplace issue, Union Officials said, adding the RWDSU conducted a survey of their Members related to workplace violence and found the following: Over 80% of respondents are worried about an active shooter coming into their workplace; Nearly two-thirds of respondents experienced verbal harassment or intimidating conduct from a customer, Co-Worker or manager within the last year; More than half of respondents have received no training from their employer about how to respond to shoplifters; Only 5% of respondents agreed with the following statement: My employer has made changes in the workplace after a violent incident in order to make my work safer; and Nearly three-quarters of respondents would feel safer if they received regular training on how to be safe in the workplace, including understanding the risks, how to reduce those risks and what to do in the event violence occurs.

Based on these findings, as well as the reality of mass shootings in retail settings and the increase in daily violence, RWDSU Representatives say it is clear a crisis point has been reached in this industry and it’s the time to act. 

To address this problem, the RWDSU is working with New York State Senate Labor Chair Jessica Ramos and Assemblymember Karines Reyes, Chair of the Subcommittee on Workplace Safety, to introduce a Bill at the State level in New York called the Retail Worker Safety Act (S.8358/Assembly number forthcoming).

This Bill will require retail employers to create safe working conditions for their Employees by implementing ongoing preventative training, conducting regular risk assessments, and keeping detailed records of incidents of workplace violence.

State Senator Jessica Ramos said: “There has already been a lot of discussion of retail theft and increasing penalties for organized perpetrators in this budget cycle, but we have yet to hear any worker-focused angle in this conversation.  Retail Workers are often on the frontline of dealing with many concurrent policy failures: The mental health crisis; poverty; and a lack of common-sense gun control.  Union Retail Workers have the opportunity to negotiate for improved safety measures and with this legislation we are hoping to extend that same level of safety to all Retail Workers.”

Assembly Member Karines Reyes said: “Retail theft is negatively impacting business practices and creating more unsafe environments for New Yorkers.  As the Governor and the Legislature mull the possibility of stiffening criminal penalties for organized groups engaging in retail theft, we cannot miss the opportunity to comprehensively address this issue.  That’s why I am proud to introduce the Retail Worker Security Act with Senator Ramos and have the support of the RWDSU.  This legislation would prepare employers and workers by mandating adequate training, threat assessments and transparency in the incidents that occur.  I am hopeful that we can pass this legislation and provide a holistic response to make consumers, Workers, employers and their property safer.”

RWDSU President Stuart Appelbaum (Pictured Above Speaking At The Rally/Photo Courtesy Of The RWDSU’s Facebook Page) said: “Retail Workers should not have to go to work each day worried about their safety.  Retail work is already stressful enough, but then add on top of that the constant threat of being harassed, assaulted or even killed, and the job becomes significantly more stressful.  Employers must take full responsibility to protect their Workers from violence. And it’s not that hard to do - conduct a risk assessment of the workplace, mitigate as many risks as possible and train workers to understand and prepare for the risks that remain for them and their customers.   And this is not just about Worker safety.  It’s also about protecting customers. A 2022 nationwide study showed that the majority of retail fatalities were actually customers simply running errands.  Creating a safe workplace for workers makes everyone in our community safer.  Let’s pass the Retail Worker Safety Act now.”

To Continue Reading This Labor News Report, Go To: RAMOS, REYES, AND RETAIL, WHOLESALE AND DEPARTMENT STORE UNION LAUNCH LEGISLATION FOR RETAIL WORKER SAFETY IN NEW YORK<br/> — Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU)