We are the workers of Barnes and Noble's Upper West Side location and we need your support. We at Barnes and Noble believe in the company's vision and in James Daunt’s vision, that this store should be a model for all other Barnes & Noble stores in the country.

   We have seen the hard work and dedication our team has put into transforming this generic corporate bookstore into a neighborhood hotspot. But if this store is going to be a model for a new and improved Barnes & Noble experience, it must also become a model for how the company treats employees.

   We believe we should be compensated fairly for the work we do, and be given the necessary tools to deal with the pressures and difficulties of retail. 

   In a city with a higher cost of living than anywhere else in America, it is unsustainable to work for minimum wage at minimal hours, and it is disheartening for employees to put in years of their lives at a company without a clear and consistent path to promotion. Booksellers, baristas, and maintenance staff deserve as much thought and consideration as the customer experience.

   We aren’t alone in this. Two other Barnes and Noble locations in New York City alone, along with four others across the nation, have already unionized.

   We recommend that Barnes and Noble voluntarily recognizes our union and begin good faith negotiation on a fair contract. We believe that if the company recognizes our union, Barnes and Noble will be a champion for workers rights and ethical consumption.

   But we cannot do this without your support. The Upper West Side Barnes and Noble has always been a staple of the community; one that celebrates local authors and grows with our customers.

  We love Barnes and Noble, but change needs to happen. And for that to become a reality, we need you to stand with us and let Barnes and Noble know how important this truly is. 

   Thank you so much for your time, your loyalty to our beloved store, and your support.