WASHINGTON, DC– Workers in retail, union members, and unorganized workers have stood up in the past year to fight for scheduling reform that leads to a better life for working families.
"Our retail scheduling system is broken, and working families deserve better,” said AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Liz Shuler. “Over the last year, big corporations and politicians have heard working people demanding a path to a better life through scheduling reform and some have even taken steps to create a more balanced approach. However, there are still far too many who are subject to the whims of their employer in order to pay their bills. Americans need decisive action to create a scheduling system that works for working families.”
Some examples of scheduling victories over the last year include:
Abercrombie & Fitch Makes Scheduling Reform Fashionable:In early August, Abercrombie and Fitch, with 799 U.S. stores, announced the end of their on-call shift practice after New York State Attorney General, Eric T. Schneiderman started an investigation into the scheduling practices of 13 large retailers. Abercrombie & Fitch stores will now alert workers to their schedules a week in advance and provide email alerts about unexpected scheduling needs.
Gap Recognizes Worker Demands, Ends ‘On-Call Scheduling’: Gap, Inc., which includes its five brands – Athleta, Gap, Old Navy, Intermix and Banana Republic - made an agreement to end on-call scheduling by the end of September, 2015. Gap cited the importance of ‘work-life integration’ to their employees and committed itself to ensuring ‘consistent and reliable scheduling.’
Walmart Workers Win Progress in Scheduling: Earlier this year, Walmart announced it would make significant changes to its scheduling system, including instituting fixed scheduling for some workers. The changes, advocated for by working people and worker advocates, would ensure some Walmart workers will know their schedules at least 2.5 weeks in advance, and workers will have more control over the hours and days they work.
Victoria’s Secret is Better Scheduling Practices: Victoria’s Secret ended its use of ‘on-call’ scheduling after workers spoke out to Buzzfeed earlier this summer, calling on the end to predatory and abusive practices. Workers told Buzzfeed that they were often required to be available for shifts that were cancelled at the last minute with no compensation. Victoria Secret’s parent company, L Brands, was also sued in California last year for the same anti-worker practices.
San Francisco Takes Lead in Enacting Serious Schedule Reform: Late last year, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors unanimously passed a law requiring major retail chains to provide two weeks’ notice for any change in a worker’s schedule, while providing penalties for companies that fail to provide such notice. The Board’s decision came after UFCW-organized workers at San Francisco-based Macy’s stores fought back against efforts by the retail giant to cut notice time for schedules by two-thirds.
Contact: Anthony DeAngelo (202) 637-5018