Working people across the United States regularly step up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our Service & Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.
Workers at Half Price Books in Apple Valley, Minnesota, voted to join United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 663, becoming the fifth union-represented store in the state and the tenth nationwide.
Staff at the book retailer chain organized to secure a powerful voice on the job. With their first union contract, members are aiming to secure higher wages, improved staffing and a seat at the table when it comes to workplace decision making.
“Half Price Books is attempting to iron out the individuality that shapes our community by standardizing our roles and incorporating A.I. in our workplace,” said Drew Schmidt, a bookseller at the store. “Unionizing is our way of encouraging Half Price Books to correct its course.”
“All my co-workers at the Coon Rapids Half Price Books are thrilled that the Apple Valley workers are joining us as members of Local 663,” said bookseller Terell Paris. “We know that our Union will be stronger together, and that we can use that strength to make our workplaces better.”