BELLINGHAM, WA – Starting this Black Friday, you may see a picket line at Bellis Fair Mall.

Macy’s workers are striking over unfair labor practices and safety concerns at three of the busiest stores in western Washington, including Bellingham.

Last month, workers voted nearly unanimously to authorize a strike if Macy’s did not offer improvements during contract negotiations.

Safety is also an issue for Macy’s employees, as the union says the corporation does not do enough to address shoplifting and violent shoppers.

According to the union’s campaign Macy’s Workers United, a worker at one of the stores was suspended for three weeks without pay after she called the police on a suspected shoplifter.

Washington was recently named the worst state for retail theft in a Forbes study.

The Bellingham Herald reports the strike will involve 400 Macy’s workers across the three stores.

Macy’s Workers United said on their website that over 14,000 customers signed a pledge to not shop at Macy’s during the strike.

When asked for a comment, a Macy’s spokesperson emailed the following statement: Macy’s seeks to reach a deal that is mutually beneficial to the colleague, company and union.