Question: In Modern Rarity, Workers Form Union at Small Chain In New York's low-income neighbourhoods, labour unions have virtually no presence. But after a yearlong struggle, 95 workers at a chain of 10 sneaker stores have formed a union. After months of negotiations, the two sides signed a three-year contract that sets the wage rate at $7.25 an hour. Why are labour unions scarce in New York's low-income neighbourhoods?