The Retail Worker Safety Act requires corporate retail employers to adopt a violence prevention plan and train workers in de-escalation and active shooters. Large employers will need to install panic buttons throughout the workplace. Retail workers need these fundamental protections! Which is why New York Legislators passed S. 8358B/A. 8947C and why RAP pushed for it’s passage along with the RWDSU.

On May 12, 2023, the New York City Council passed a bill banning height and weight discrimination, a victory for retail workers in New York City! The Retail Action Project was proud to champion this bill alongside fellow members of the Campaign For Size Freedom coalition, including NAAFA, RWDSU, the FLARE Project, and more! RAP Coordinator Eno Awotoye explains why this bill has such an impact on retail workers: “They create this mold, how these workers have to be and look. In some cases, you can't finish an application without being asked to send an image so that they see what you look like.”

“Our workers are refused jobs and promotions. That’s not right. Size discrimination hurts our workers and it’s about time to put an end to it! Pass the height and weight bill now!” -Eno Awotoye

On #MayDay, the #RetailActionProject joined with workers from all across NYC to march for workers' rights! When we stand together, we can make real change in our industries.

June 12, 2020: Members of RAP joined fellow New Yorkers in the streets today to protest police brutality. #BlackLivesMatter

Here are some great photos from this year's International Workers Day! The Retail Action Project took part in participating in the Immigrant Workers Justice Tour. Take a look!

The Retail Action Project's members and allies marched today on our #BlackFriday #TourOfShame to call for an end to unjust, unsafe, unstable, and disrespectful working conditions in the retail industry! On Black Friday, workers' safety and dignity on the job is shoved aside in favor of maximizing sales, and workers are kept away from their homes and families. This holiday season, our members are sharing what the #PriceOfRetail is for retail workers and their families!

Here are some great photos from the Night Out For Safety & Liberation with members from the Retail Action Project & New York Worker Center Federation this year! Pushing the message on what #SafetyIs & the connection with the #FreedomCities campaign. Thank you Jake Ratner for these amazing photos!

Take a look at photos during the historic signing on "Intro 1387"! Shout outs to all the members that showed up! Our speakers Adrieanna Hughes & Jauwana Stevenson were fearless! Also shout outs to Rafid, Natasha, Alonzo, Robin, Keisha, & Jack for being present on behalf on the membership! This is just the beginning!

On Black Friday, RAP members went on a “Tour of Shame” protesting various retailers in Manhattan. Check out photos and a video from the action below!

In 2014 Zara workers across New York City rose up. The majority of them were part-time and could not afford to buy the very clothes they were selling. Store by store they built worker committees to organize for more hours, better pay, advanced notification of their schedules, and equal opportunity for professional growth. They repeatedly requested to meet collectively with U.S. management to address their concerns, and ultimately, believing they deserved the same guaranteed access to benefits and representation as Zara workers in other countries, they called on the Spanish company owners to step in and be accountable for what was happening.

In 2015, workers from Spices & Tease’s Grand Central Location came to RAP to discuss a myriad of labor violations at the workplace and see what could be done.  As a small, boutique pop-up chain at Grand Central Station and Chelsea Market, there we few employees and the owners took advantage of there being such a small workforce to challenge them. Nevertheless they were highly motivated and delivered a petition to the owners with a set of demands, chief of which was that they be paid fully for their hours worked and that their paychecks be distributed on time.

At 4 PM, RAP members came together in Foley Square to support the #FightFor15 and to #RiseFor15 in retail!

November 10, 2017 - RAP members came together in Cobble Hill at 6 AM this morning to support the #FightFor15 and to #RiseFor15 in retail.

On March 15, 2015, RAP, the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU), and our members and friends traveled to Albany to call for a $15 minimum wage in New York!

RAP is excited to announce the release of our new report, Short-Shifted! Thanks to our members who shared their experiences, and who also helped to collect hundreds of stories of retail workers who are struggling with unpredictable schedules. And a huge thanks to our talented co-author Stephanie Luce!

Halloween was not so sweet for retail workers at the high-end candy store, Dylan's Candy Bar. That's why RAP members protested low wages, unfair schedules, and favoritism at their store - at their busiest time of the year. Workers are not oompa-loompas! We need #JustHours!

New York, NY – Employees at Forever 21 are fighting back against a devastating new policy enacted by the fast-fashion retail chain last week.  Last week, Forever 21 sent a letter to all non-managerial full time workers, terminating their health insurance, paid time off, and capping their hours as part-time workers, under 30 hours per week. Workers only had few days of advance notice that their health insurance coverage was ending, their benefits were taken away, that they’d get smaller paychecks, and would no longer be able to earn any paid time off.

RAP members compete in shirt folding to win prizes, and shared stories about what it's like to work in the retail industry!