On Jan. 24, about 24 workers at the REI Co-op in Greensboro, N.C., voted to join the RWDSU/UFCW for a better life. The workers in the bargaining unit include all full- and regular part-time store sales specialists, senior sales specialists, senior shipping and receiving specialists, senior operations specialists, and bike and snow shop mechanics.
REI Greensboro workers first began organizing in the wake of REI’s October 2023 round of layoffs, which cut the jobs of 275 of the most experienced workers, known as “leads,” from stores across the co-op. In Greensboro, two of the most tenured lead retail sales specialists were laid off, beloved co-workers who were known to embody REI’s signature “Co-op Way.” Greensboro workers proudly united with green vests organizing under the banner of the REI Union from coast to coast, fighting for fair pay, guaranteed hours, a clear path to full-time status, and transfer opportunities within the company.
“Our union at REI Greensboro is not just a labor movement, but a wonderful example of what happens when people who care come together to create actionable change,” said Kayleigh Clark (she/her), who is a retail sales specialist at the REI Greensboro store. “REI has moved away from the co-op values, empty promises that were never truly abided by. Allowing green vests to have a say in what issues impact them personally is imperative to us continuing to outfit our members properly and utilize our expertise. I believe in a future where REI executives and store level employees can find common ground and enhance access to the outdoors for all.”
“Welcome to the union, REI Greensboro!” said RWDSU President Stuart Appelbaum (he/him). “For the past three years, REI management has fought the REI Union at every turn. And yet, REI workers have not given up on organizing, steadfast in their commitment to creating a co-op that truly lives up to the company’s professed values. REI Greensboro won their union almost three years to the day that SoHo workers went public with their effort to form the first union at any REI store. The brave workers in Greensboro, North Carolina, have made one thing clear today: the REI Union is not going away. It’s way past time to negotiate a fair contract, REI.”
REI Greensboro is the 11th REI store in the country to unionize. This organizing win is part of the National REI Campaign and follows successful unionization efforts at REI stores in SoHo in New York City; Berkeley, Calif.; Cleveland; Chicago; Durham, N.C.; Boston; Bellingham, Wash.; Maple Grove, Minn.; Castleton, Ind.; and Santa Cruz, Calif.