(New York, NY) – Late last year, the bargaining team for UNITE HERE workers and Duane Reade agreed to a one year agreement providing improvements in wages and benefits. After a protracted negotiation, the contract will be retroactive to the April 1, 2004 date of the prior contract’s expiration.

Workers will receive a wage increase of $.30/hour with back pay to cover the time between the contract expiration and ratification. Workers also negotiated additional paid leave and bonuses for staff with many years of service, and improved language for dealing with mistreatment and health and safety on the job.

“This contract makes tremendous strides in all areas of concern to the Duane Reade workers,” says John Gillis, Manager of the New York Joint Board of UNITE HERE. “With improvements in wages and benefits, as well as working conditions.”

Duane Reade’s Chairman, Anthony Cuti, underscored Duane Reade’s commitment to fair bargaining with legitimate and ethical labor leadership. Bruce Raynor, General President of UNITE HERE, complimented union and company negotiatiors on reaching a fair settlement and continuing the mutually productive relationship that has benefited the employees and allowed Duane Reade to prosper and grow as a company.

UNITE HERE is the merged union of hospitality, gaming, apparel, textile and laundry workers. The new union represents nearly half a million workers in the US, Canada, and Puerto Rico. Learn more about us at www.unitehere.org.