Culminating long campaign, New York enacts Retail Worker Safety Act

RWDSU President Stuart Appelbaum stands with New York Governor Hochul as she signs the Retail Worker Safety Act into Law at the New York City Central Labor Council in New York City on September 4, 2024. | RWDSU

NEW YORK—Culminating a long campaign led by the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union, Gov. Kathy Hochul, D-N.Y., signed the Retail Worker Safety Act on September 4. The bill signing occurred at the New York City Central Labor Council headquarters.

The law mandates retailers must create and train workers in “violence prevention,” including how to respond to crisis situations, such as active shooters. They must also provide safety devices on the job, such as under-the-counter “panic buttons” cashiers can push to alert security to menaces.

The law is needed because, in recent years, assaults and shootings directed at workers in their stores have been on the rise. The increase is most noticeable at round-the-clock convenience stores and—at groceries which shoppers of color patronize.

An RWDSU survey last year found four out of every five workers worried about active shooters, while two-thirds “experienced verbal harassment or intimidating conduct from a customer, co-worker, or manager within the last year.” But only 7 percent of retailers improved safety on the job after such incidents.

The law is also another example of the impact of elections. As Lieutenant Governor, the relatively unknown Hochul succeeded controversial Democrat Andrew Cuomo, who was more pro-business. Union members played a big role in her unexpectedly narrow win over a right-wing Republican two years ago. Together, Hochul and the now-wholly-Democratic-controlled legislature have enacted a raft of pro-worker legislation. This law is the latest measure.

The law says all retailers who employ at least ten workers will have to create and implement the violence prevention plans. Those with at least 500 workers must also install panic buttons throughout their stores. State labor inspectors will enforce the law.

“Preventative measures this law provides will help stop violence and harassment before it starts, but even more importantly, will more safely assist workers in getting help quickly in the event of an emergency,” RWDSU President Stuart Appelbaum said after the signing ceremony. Statewide, “union workers suffered grave losses to senseless store shootings. This bill can help to save lives, and with Gov. Hochul’s support and swift implementation we know we will all be safer.”

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CONTRIBUTOR

Press Associates

Press Associates Inc. (PAI), is a union news service in Washington D.C. Mark Gruenberg is the editor.