Dear Bradley Graham and Lissa Muscatine,
For over 29 years–the entire time I’ve lived in the DMV, and most of the bookstore’s existence– Politics and Prose Bookstore has been a haven and a lifeline for me. When my job relocated to a different part of town, I was less than thrilled about my longer commute, but soon realized the silver lining: Politics and Prose Bookstore was now on my way home! My partner and I have loved meeting there after work for author events; I’ve loved being able to stop in and find the perfect gift for a friend or loved one, or a new book I’ve been eagerly awaiting.
So I was extremely dismayed to learn today that the management of my beloved Politics and Prose Bookstoreis now resisting worker efforts to unionize, and has even hired the notorious law firm Jones Day to fight your workers’ efforts to ensure fair wages and working conditions. This is a betrayal of the inclusive values that Politics and Prose Bookstore has been known for.
I can no longer patronize Politics and Prose in good conscience, nor recommend it to my students, new colleagues, neighbors, and friends. I urge you to work with your staff and the union they are attempting to build. I urge you to stop antagonizing and intimidating your staff, and threatening both their livelihood and the many services they perform for your customers.
I will miss Politics and Prose, but my allegiance is with your workers.
Sincerely,
Abby Wilkerson
(By Abby Wilkerson)
(Photo Credit: Politics and Prose Workers Union / Twitter)