CIty Lights Bookstore Employees Unionize

Update: It’s official! City Lights recognized the union!

Just 3 weeks after their 70th anniversary, City Lights Bookstore is celebrating a turning point with workers forming a union. Workers announced the union on social media just yesterday January 25th, they said, “We are thrilled to announce the formation of the City Lights Workers’ Union! As of noon today, City Lights workers delivered notice of our unionization to management, asking for voluntary recognition.”

What’s the next step for the City Lights Workers Union?

When a union is formed, there ware a few phases that a union goes through before the union is recognized. After they have formed a group of employees that would like to start the union (usually working with a union rep), the union will as management to recognize the union and then start negotiations around topics like making sure they all get fair pay bumps, affordable healthcare, job security, and a steady schedule. These efforts usually aim to create improved workplaces and working conditions, free from concerns about reprisals.

There is no word yet what the City Lights Workers Union is looking for from management but they plan to give more information soon. On Instagram they said, “We have joined the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW), and look forward to negotiating towards a prosperous workplace for all. More to Come!! Follow along here or on Twitter account @CityLightsUnion.”

As City Lights Bookstore marks a significant moment just three weeks after its 70th anniversary, with workers uniting to form the City Lights Workers’ Union, the next steps are poised to shape the future of their workplace. The journey ahead may be bumpy but we’re looking forward to watching their union thrive in the future.

Follow along at @CityLightsUnion on Instagram and X.