Just across the Hudson River from the glamorous storefronts of SoHo, Manhattan, the Bergen Logistics fulfillment center in North Bergen, New Jersey, serves as the logistical engine for a number of luxury fashion houses including Acne Studios, Kenzo, and Phillip Lim. Every day, warehouse workers in this facility sort, package, and ship hundreds of high-end fashion items to consumers around the globe. Yet while the workers handle items priced in the thousands, many of them struggle to make ends meet — with some juggling multiple jobs to survive.
These workers are now campaigning for union recognition and the reinstatement of a fellow employee who they allege was fired for union organizing. Their movement highlights a growing disconnect between luxury fashion brands’ public statements about supporting workers’ rights and the conditions reported by those behind the scenes. Despite flashy marketing that often touts sustainability and social responsibility, these brands rely on a workforce that says it faces poor labor conditions, unsafe environments, and minimal benefits.
Safety remains a core issue. Employees have reported sweltering conditions during the summer months, particularly on upper floors where plastic-wrapped garments trap heat. According to Yeurimar Acosta, who works in the stock department, last summer’s heat was so intense that some coworkers nearly fainted. While the company installed fans in response, workers say they are insufficient for the facility’s size.
Inadequate staffing has led to injuries. Acosta herself was hurt when a box fell on her hand after repeated requests for assistance went unanswered. She noted that workers are sometimes left to tackle large, heavy projects alone, increasing the risk of accidents. Rolling ladders used to retrieve clothing from high shelves are another source of concern, often requiring difficult, time-consuming maneuvering that slows productivity and impacts workers’ performance metrics. Eva López, another stockroom employee, shared that these ladders are cumbersome and potentially hazardous, adding to the strain of meeting unit-per-hour goals.
Beyond physical hardships, workers feel undervalued and undercompensated. López, a 13-year employee, reported receiving only 12 paid days off — five of which are sick days — over her tenure. She also expressed frustration over the inaccessibility of the expensive items they handle daily, remarking that she could never afford the $1,200 garments her team ships.
Bergen Logistics, the company operating the warehouse, did not respond to requests for comment. However, its parent company, Elanders, has previously signed an agreement with the UNI Global Union to remain neutral during union drives and to cooperate in cases where union recognition is requested. Workers say this commitment was not honored. When a majority of employees signed union cards last November, many anticipated swift voluntary recognition. Instead, they claim the company hired anti-union consultants who held sessions that sowed doubt and confusion among staff.
According to López, these consultants introduced themselves as neutral educators but were clearly aligned with management, aiming to dissuade workers from organizing. Acosta added that the company began handing out gifts such as earrings, pillows, and televisions — giveaways she viewed as attempts to distract and pacify employees.
Initially, over 150 of the roughly 188 eligible workers had signed cards supporting the union. But after management’s campaign, sentiment began to shift. Executives visited the warehouse floor asking for a second chance and promising to correct past mistakes. The union vote held in January reflected a split workforce: 83 voted in favor of unionization, 80 against, with 17 ballots contested — including one belonging to the worker dismissed for organizing.
The final outcome remains unresolved. The company has requested a National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) investigation into four of the ballots, a move the union interprets as a stalling tactic.
In an effort to escalate the issue, workers and their supporters staged demonstrations at the Manhattan boutiques of the brands they serve, calling on companies like Acne Studios and Ganni — both of which have publicly stated support for workers’ rights — to pressure Bergen Logistics to recognize the union. Neither brand responded to requests for comment.
Shortly thereafter, a delegation of European union representatives who represent Elanders workers in other countries attempted to visit the New Jersey warehouse but were denied entry. The delegation had hoped to determine whether Bergen Logistics was violating international labor standards, including the right to organize and bargain collectively. The UNI Global Union states that under its agreement with Elanders, its affiliates should have access to company facilities for this purpose.
For the workers at Bergen Logistics, the push for a union is rooted in a broader desire for dignity and lasting change. Acosta, who has worked at the warehouse for nearly six years, said she has grown tired of empty promises. She sees unionization as the only viable path to improving their working conditions. Past complaints, she noted, have led to no meaningful changes.
López echoed this sentiment, saying she feels disrespected and invisible despite the physical and mental demands of the job. She challenged the company’s leadership to spend a day on the warehouse floor, suggesting they would not last even an hour under the same conditions.
In their daily labor, these warehouse workers play a crucial role in maintaining the prestige and profitability of elite fashion labels. Yet their fight for recognition underscores the ongoing tension between the image luxury brands project and the realities of the labor behind them.
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