Macy's Herald Square Reaches Tentative Deal With Union, Avoids Strike
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Macy's says it has reached a tentative deal with the union representing workers at its flagship store in New York City, avoiding a strike.
Macy's Inc. said Thursday that it worked overnight with the union on negotiations. The current contract expired at midnight Wednesday.
"We are pleased with the outcome of our overnight negotiations and happy to report that a tentative agreement between Macy's and Local 1S for our workers has been reached, therefore averting a possible strike today," Macy's said in a statement Thursday morning.
According to the Local 1S Facebook page, the group reached an agreement on a new four-year contract.
"We believe that it is a good agreement, good for both parties," Stewart Applebaum, president of Local 1S told 1010 WINS. "It's a win for the union, it's a win for the company and most importantly, it's also a win for retail workers throughout New York."
The store, a tourist attraction famous for its prominence in the city's Thanksgiving Day parade, hasn't had a strike since 1972.
Stuart Applebaum, president of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union, which represents the 5,000 workers including the 3,500 from the store, said big issues include health care, unpredictable schedules and pension plans for senior employees.
The details of the agreement were not immediately known.
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