On March 25, the REI Union announced that an overwhelming majority of unionized REI workers voted in favor of authorizing a boycott of the co-op’s anniversary sale in May if the company doesn’t reach a contract with the union. REI’s anniversary sale occurs every May and is the retailer’s largest event of the year. This year’s anniversary sale will take place on May 15 to 25.
As part of its years-long anti-union campaign, and despite reaching 25 tentative agreements with the union, REI decided to illegally declare an impasse and walk away from negotiations on Feb. 24. The company is now unilaterally implementing cuts to benefits, starting wages, and raises for REI Union workers, which led union members to take this critical next step.
Since 2022, 11 REI stores have voted to unionize in SoHo, N.Y.; Berkeley, Calif.; Cleveland, Ohio; Chicago, Ill.; Boston, Mass.; Durham, N.C.; Maple Grove, Minn.; Bellingham, Wash.; Castleton, Ind.; Santa Cruz, Calif.; and Greensboro, N.C. REI union members are represented by the UFCW Locals 5, 663, 700, 1208, 1445, 3000 and the RWDSU.
Since the first REI store unionized in SoHo, N.Y., in 2022, REI has engaged in a scorched-earth union-busting campaign both in-store and at the bargaining table, complete with the intimidation of workers, lies about unionization, and the termination of many vocal union supporters. In response, workers have held several multi-day walkouts, community and co-op member actions, garnered support from elected officials from across the country, and more.
“Many of us came to REI because we wanted to earn a living helping people get outside, but that has only become more and more difficult as REI continues to silence workers and roll out cuts to benefits,” said Sam Wirt, a REI worker at the co-op’s store in Berkeley, Calif. “This decision to authorize a boycott is not one we’ve made lightly. We love the work we do, and for decades, REI was a place that prided itself on putting people before profits, but they’re now doing the exact opposite. We can set our co-op back on the right path, but only if leadership comes back to the negotiating table, works with us to negotiate a fair contract, and actively engages with the people who keep it running: the workers.”
“Voting in favor of a boycott was a tough choice, but we cannot stand by and let those at the helm of this company turn it into a churn-and-burn factory like any other corporate retailer,” said Sue Cottrell, a REI worker at the co-op’s store in Bellingham, Wash. “We know co-op members will support our decision because the truth is, they don’t shop at the store because REI has the best prices or is the only store in town. They go to REI because of the expertise we bring and the values REI has based its entire core mission around. We’re simply asking REI to live up to those values, return to the negotiating table, and agree to a contract that reflects our contribution to the co-op.”
“REI’s decision to declare an impasse and walk away from negotiations is just another tactic in their illegal union-busting campaign,” U.S. Representative Nikki Budzinski (D-Ill.) said. “The REI Union has bargained in good faith for more than four years, but management has refused to provide the fair contract these workers deserve. I am proud to stand with REI workers as they fight for fair wages, good working conditions, and respect on the job.”
You can learn more about the REI Union here.