SEATTLE — Hundreds of Macy’s department store workers went on strike Friday at three western Washington locations over what the union called unfair labor practices.
About 400 workers were expected to picket at Southcenter Mall in Tukwila, Alderwood Mall in Lynnwood and Bellis Fair Mall in Bellingham, which the union said would effectively shut down stores. Macy's has confirmed stores will remain open.
UFCW 3000, the union that represents the workers, claimed Macy’s isn’t doing enough to keep wages up to inflation, address shoplifting, “violent” shoppers and other safety threats.
“Our customers need a safe place, we as workers need a safe place and all we are asking is that Macy’s provide a clear policy so we can help make this a safe place for everyone,” said Azia Domingo, who has worked at the Southcenter Mall Macy’s for 21 years.
Domingo also stated there is a need for a more transparent safety policy because there is a fear of retaliation or being fired among workers for calling 911.
In a statement, a Macy's spokesperson said, "At Macy’s, we respect the rights of our colleagues. As always, our top priority is to ensure the safety of our colleagues and customers in-store. Our stores remain open to serve our valued customers as we continue to work through contract negotiations with the union."
When KING 5 asked the department store to specifically provide its safety policy and whether employees are suspended for calling help, Macy’s said it had no further comment.
“There’s been a lot of shootings in our mall and a lot of that spills into our store,” Domingo said.
She remembers the recent shootings at the mall that seem to happen during the holidays. In November of 2022, a man was killed during an attempted car theft and less than a week later, two teens were sent to the hospital in a shooting. The year prior, in November of 2021, a 17-year-old was shot and killed in a mall parking lot.
“We’re tired of being frightened and endangered at work,” said Mary Stephen who works at the Alderwood Mall Macy’s in Lynnwood, “My hope is that it doesn’t last very long and we can come to a fair solution for all of us for safety, better affordable healthcare and better pay.”
The National Retail Federation, the nation’s largest retail trade group, said its latest security survey of roughly 177 retailers found that inventory loss — called shrink — clocked in at an average rate of 1.6% last year, representing $112.1 billion in losses. That's up from 1.4% the previous year.
On Oct. 6, 96% of unionized Macy’s workers voted to authorize an unfair labor practice strike over the next few months if Macy’s didn’t offer “substantial” improvements in contract negotiations.
Macy’s, the union and workers met Nov. 6, 7 and 15 to negotiate and couldn’t reach an agreement. On Nov. 17, the workers announced the Black Friday strike at what it said was some of the busiest stores in Washington.
The union asked shoppers to shop elsewhere if they saw workers picketing outside a Macy’s on Black Friday.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.