Macy’s workers in four New York stores vote to strike

New York City -- Local 1-S of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union announced that more than 4,000 union workers at Macy's Manhattan flagship and three other New York locations have voted to strike if a new contract is not reached by midnight on Wednesday.



The other stores are in the Bronx, Queens and Westchester County.



According to the union, Macy's wants to reduce paid time off, eliminate pension benefits for new employees and raise health care costs. The company is proposing a 35-cent wage increase for starting positions, as well as five-cent hourly raise for workers with outstanding job reviews -- boosts that union officials said are inadequate, according to Bloomberg.



The company is also seeking to put restrictions on paid sick leave, union officials said.



“No one wants to strike, we all want to secure a new contract, said Ken Bordieri, president of Local 1-S of the Retail, Wholesale, and Department Store Union, in a statement. “But our workers are prepared to strike and to stand up for fair wages, benefits, and hours.”



Macy's said it is "available 24/7 to bargain in good faith until an agreement is reached."