After a 15-month effort, workers at the Brylane distribution center in Indianapolis made history today when they formed the first-ever union at the facility through a process that allowed them to fairly choose a union.  These workers are to be commended for their unwavering solidarity, as are the thousands of union members and activists in the United States and from around the globe who supported the Brylane workers by demanding that the company—which is owned by French company Pinault-Printemps-Redoute (PPR)—honor their freedom to choose a union.

The workers formed a union with the Union of Needletrades, Industrial and Textile Employees (UNITE) because of health and safety concerns—one out of every 10 workers suffers from a repetitive motion injury.   

Like tens of thousands of workers, the Brylane workers wanted to have a free choice to improve their lives with a union—in fact, recent research shows that 50 percent of all American workers who don’t have a union would form a union tomorrow if given a fair chance.  Knowing that the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) election process is weighted heavily in employers’ favor and that in NLRB elections, workers can expect harassment, intimidation, threats and even firings, the Brylane workers wanted a better option.  They struggled for and won the right to be represented by UNITE after a majority of workers voluntarily petitioned the company for a union.  

Contact: Lane Windham (202) 637-5018