Warehouse workers at Bergen Logistics in North Bergen, New Jersey, are at the forefront of a unionization campaign, seeking better working conditions and fair treatment. These workers handle shipments for luxury fashion brands like Acne Studios and Kenzo, yet struggle to afford the products they ship. Many work multiple jobs to make ends meet and face challenges such as high unit-per-hour expectations and safety concerns.
One worker, Yeurimar Acosta, highlighted the extreme heat in the workplace during the summer months, exacerbated by the plastic wrapping on garments that intensifies the heat. Insufficient staffing has led to accidents, with Acosta herself sustaining an injury due to heavy workloads. The use of rolling ladders to retrieve items from high shelves is also a safety issue, adding to the workers’ challenges.
Despite their hard work, these employees feel undervalued by the company, with limited paid time off and inadequate compensation. The disconnect between the luxury products they handle and their own financial struggles adds to their frustration. The unionization efforts aim to address these issues and ensure that workers are treated fairly and respectfully.
When the majority of warehouse workers signed union cards last November, they expected voluntary recognition from the company. Instead, Bergen Logistics brought in anti-union consultants and initiated a campaign to dissuade workers from unionizing. Tactics included offering gifts and raffling off prizes to incentivize workers to work on Sundays. Despite these efforts, many workers remained committed to the unionization cause.
The vote for union representation in January was a close call, with 83 workers in favor and 80 against, along with challenged ballots. The company’s request for a National Labor Relations Board investigation into some of the ballots has raised concerns about potential delays in the unionization process. European unionists representing Elanders workers were also denied access to the warehouse, further complicating the situation.
In April, workers and supporters took their cause directly to the luxury fashion brands they serve, urging them to pressure Bergen Logistics to recognize the union. Despite facing obstacles and resistance from management, the workers remain determined to improve their working conditions and secure their rights through union representation.
As the unionization efforts continue, these warehouse workers are standing up for their rights and demanding fair treatment in an industry that often overlooks the labor behind the luxury fashion brands they handle.