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Retail Unionization Push Continues
- 04/10/2024
Retailers must take proactive steps to avoid unionization trend.
The national retail unionization movement is gaining momentum. The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) is overturning decades of precedent with decisions that are changing the parameters of union organizing – and leaving organizations confused and scrambling.In retail specifically, we’re seeing a dramatic increase in concerns about issues regarding employee safety and workplace well-being. With time and momentum on the side of the unions, retailers must act now and take proactive measures, including assessing vulnerabilities and labor readiness, to protect their organizations and avoid becoming part of the labor unionization trend.
The Spring 2024 Labor Activity in Retail released IRI Consultants in partnership with RILA examines the latest data on union organizing and membership across the nation and provides perspectives by leading labor law experts – including a look at the current rise of organized retail crime and its effect on employee safety from RILA.
In 2023, 127 representation elections were held in the retail industry. This was down from a record-high 164 elections in 2022 but was still well above average. Unions were elected as a result of 65 percent of elections held in 2023 compared to 73 percent the previous year.
Theft itself is not a new problem. Retailers have been dealing with the repercussions of retail theft for decades. What’s become increasingly concerning for retail leaders is the violence that is often associated with these incidents and the negative impact it has on employee safety.
Evan Armstrong | RILA VP Workforce
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