Bookshop Santa Cruz Unionizes
The staff at Bookshop Santa Cruz in Santa Cruz, Calif., have voted to unionize and will be represented by Communication Workers of America Local 9423. The organizers had sent a letter to store owner Casey Coonerty Protti asking her to voluntarily recognize their joining the union in December. In March 2020, when the store went into lockdown at the start of the pandemic, the store employed approximately 45 people, though some have since left due to health concerns.
The employees specifically cited the fact that they do not have health insurance as a key factor for the unionization, particularly considering the risks associated with working in the store throughout the pandemic.
“We are excited to move forward with negotiation efforts between us and management, and look forward to formalizing our contract with the store," said the Union in a statement.
