McKay’s Books Inc. Charged with Violating Federal Labor Laws for Store Shut Down

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The Communications Workers of America (CWA) filed unfair labor practice charges against McKay’s Books Inc. after the company announced that it would close its Knoxville store. CWA filed charges with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) alleging that the decision to close the store was itself unlawful union-busting.

"McKay's decision to shut down a beloved bookstore rather than negotiate in good faith with their workers is a disgusting attempt to bust the union, coming from a company that has already violated federal labor laws multiple times over," said Ray Mehaffey, president of CWA Local 3805. "CWA is not going anywhere. We will pursue McKay’s and its owners to the ends of the earth in our fight for justice for the Knoxville McKay’s workers and their loyal customers."

With this newest charge, there are now six unfair labor practice charges pending against McKay's, charging the company with firing employees because of their support for the union; denying employees at the Knoxville store pay and pay increases offered to employees at the non-union stores; bargaining in bad faith in violation of federal labor law; and now closing the store in retaliation for the Knoxville employees exercising their right to have union representation on the job. CWA has also renewed its request that the NLRB seek an injunction in federal court in support of the pending ULP charges. If obtained by the NLRB, an injunction would force the company to restore the status quo pending the outcome of the NLRB litigation process.

Workers at McKay’s Books Inc. in Knoxville, Tenn., are represented by Communications Workers of America (CWA).

For decades, the workers have served readers and hobbyists in the community by providing excellent service to customers and ensuring McKay’s reputation as a beloved institution for accessing a wide variety of affordable second-hand books and other forms of entertainment. Unfortunately, this has come at a cost for the workers who are overworked, underpaid, and mistreated. The workers have been bargaining for a union contract that will guarantee respect and dignity on the job since February 2023.

###

About CWA: The Communications Workers of America represents working people in telecommunications, customer service, media, airlines, health care, public service and education, manufacturing, tech, and other fields.

cwa-union.org @cwaunion