NEW YORK, June 18 (UPI) -- Employees at a New York-area Target store rejected union representation Friday, keeping the U.S. retailer union-free, a company spokeswoman said.
The spokeswoman said the vote by hourly wage workers at the Valley Stream, N.Y., store was 137-85 against joining the United Food and Commercial Workers union, The New York Times reported.
Union President Bruce W. Both said in a statement the labor group would contest the results, attributing the outcome to company intimidation.
"Target did everything they could to deny these workers a chance at the American dream," he said. "However, the workers' pursuit of a better life and the ability to house and feed their families is proving more powerful. These workers are not backing down from this fight. They are demanding another election. They are demanding justice and they are prepared to fight for it."
In the run-up to the vote, Target officials told employees the union could not guarantee them better pay or benefits and only sought their dues. The company also said there were no guarantees the store would remain open if they joined the union.
The union filed a complaint with labor officials but Target contends it was careful to stay within labor laws.
