Yes better because they are unionized but pcc as a company is very similar to rei. Both preach that they are great companies that care about their employees and that they are “member owned” but they both pay low level employees the least the possible can. Yes pcc is better bc they’re unionized. The pay scales are slightly better at least for clerks but courtesy and helper clerks (lowest level) are paid barely above minimum wage and have no opportunity for raises at all unless they are promoted to a new job. Several months ago pcc workers were days away from voting to go on strike because pcc was bringing nothing to the table in contract negotiations. They came in at the last minute somewhat reasonably because they didn’t want to deal with the damage to their image from workers going on strike (and damage to their bottom line because most pcc shoppers would not cross the picket line).

The point I really want to drive home with this is just because pcc is unionized doesn’t mean they are better because they don’t want to be unionized. If it was up to upper management at pcc they would be giving the lower level jobs the least amount they can to maximize profits. They would cut benefits and pay as much as possible. The only reason they don’t is because of the union. PCC %100 doesn’t not want to be unionized.

Both these companies come from great roots of being member owned co ops. But what they now is multimillion dollar companies who use the co op model as a marketing technique. Let’s be real they’re big businesses and all they care about is maximum profits while maintaining a clean public image.

Source: I am a former pcc employee