Sony Music has announced plans to close a Minneapolis warehouse that handles merchandise for punk rock bands, a decision that has sparked accusations of union-busting from workers. The facility, operated by Kings Road Merch, serves notable acts like Rancid, Descendents, Dropkick Murphys, and Converge. In May, staff unanimously voted to unionize, citing concerns over pay discrepancies and problematic contracts. Sony confirmed the warehouse’s closure on June 23, shortly before the first scheduled negotiation between the union and company.
A Sony representative told Pitchfork that the closure decision was “many months in the making” when the unionization effort arose, though the company declined to provide documentation, referencing ongoing negotiations. Workers had submitted a unionization petition on April 9, followed by a Zoom meeting between Sony lawyers and Teamsters Local 970 president Chad Reichow on April 27. During this call, Reichow inquired about the planned closing date. Sony representatives reportedly responded, “We don’t know yet,” leading Reichow to view the situation as a bluff. Sony characterizes the call as a pre-election disclosure about their withdrawal plans.
Sony acquired Kings Road Merch through its subsidiary The Orchard in June 2025, focusing on the brand’s client relationships rather than its physical operations. Reichow noted Sony’s assertion that managing a warehouse was not part of their strategy, though he acknowledged the timing raised suspicions. “Companies make business decisions,” Reichow stated. “I’m assuming it’s a legitimate choice, but the timing after unionization seems poorly timed.”
Originally based in Los Angeles and founded by Bad Religion’s Brett Gurewitz, Kings Road Merch relocated to Minneapolis in 2023. Its workforce historically drew from the city’s punk community. Internal sources reported issues under Sony’s management, including delayed overtime compensation and inflexible contract policies for temporary workers. A union representative shared pay stubs showing recurring calculation errors, prompting backpay adjustments that still affected morale. The union formally cited “marked declines in working conditions” under Sony’s leadership as motivation for organizing.
In solidarity, Dropkick Murphys publicly endorsed the union effort via Instagram, stating, “We stand with you all. Thank you for all you’ve done for us all these years.”
