Barney’s Madison Avenue Bargaining Update 6/6/2008

After 9 negotiating sessions, we have narrowed the focus to two outstanding issues:

HEALTH INSURANCE:
As healthcare costs skyrocket, our union health fund is in need of an injection of an additional $1.5 million in order to maintain the current level of benefits for Barney’s members. A major outstanding issue at the bargaining table revolves around what percentage of this cost the company will carry, and what percentage union members will have to provide through payroll deductions.

WAGES:
We are seeking hourly wage increases for both selling and non-selling support staff and an increase in the commission percentage for selling staff. The commission percentage hasn’t been increased in at least 10 years.

Our next session is scheduled for June 10th, 2008.

For more information about bargaining, read the "Negotiation Notes May 28th" provided below by committee member Steven Blecher.

To find out more about how you can support the fight for a strong contract, contact a member of your bargaining committee: Steven Blecher, Tyler Mayo, Timothy Brand, Dipanjan Ghosh, Timothy McKlusky, Jayne Geller, Kendra Graves, Jose Parron, Barry Baggan, Steven Moore, David Richardson, Babacar Ndiaye, Shantelle Coleman, Vickie Harwyn, or Karim Belkhayat.