UNITE (formerly the Union of Needletrades, Industrial and Textile Employees) and HERE (Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees International Union) merged on July 8, 2004 forming UNITE HERE. The union represents more than 450,000 active members and more than 400,000 retirees throughout North America. UNITE HERE represents workers in apparel and textile manufacturing, apparel distribution centers, apparel retail, industrial laundries, hotels, casinos, food service, airport concessions, and restaurants.