Staffers at Juicy Couture stores say they’re getting seriously squeezed.
A worker group said it plans to hold a protest this morning at Juicy Couture’s Fifth Avenue flagship, charging that clothing chain has been slashing hours and benefits.
“You’re eliminating full-time positions and capping hours to avoid giving retail workers paid sick days and health care,” the Retail Action Project wrote in a letter to Juicy Couture Chief Executive Paul Blum and Bill McComb, the head of its corporate parent Fifth and Pacific.
Only 19 of the Fifth Avenue store’s 128 employees were full-time — sharply lower than previous years on firings and severely dialed-back hours, according to employees.
All part-time workers’ hours at the stores were capped at just 21 per week, said the group, which plans to present a petition with more than 4,600 signatures at the Fifth Avenue location today.
A spokeswoman for Fifth & Pacific didn’t respond to a request for comment.
The New York City-based company, which also owns Kate Spade, has put Juicy Couture up for sale, along with denim label Lucky Brand.
Sources said Juicy Couture’s struggling business has been a tough sell — a possible reason for the staffing cutbacks.
“It’s very common for sellers to try short-term tricks that appear to enhance value,” said one retail banker.