Here in New York City, hundreds of Macy’s workers rallied outside the retailer’s flagship store in Herald Square to call for a living wage, reliable schedules and affordable healthcare. Thousands of Macy’s workers have authorized their union to call a strike if Macy’s doesn’t meet their demands for a fair contract by June 15. Stuart Appelbaum, president of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union, said Macy’s is seeking unreasonable cuts.

Stuart Appelbaum: “Macy’s is looking to take away pensions from senior employees, reduce commissions for commission workers, refuses to provide affordable healthcare coverage. The workers are angry, the workers are upset. The workers have taken a strike vote, and it was unanimous. People are prepared to strike if Macy’s refuses to give them the respect they’ve earned and deserve.”