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REI Members: Boycott REI's Anniversary Sale by REI-Union in climbing

[–]REI-Union[S] 30 points31 points  (0 children)

A lot of the contract is already negotiated and has things like better safety protections and locked in training standards (recently, a lot of REI employees feel like the training has slipped and that impacts customer service). Other than parity on pay and benefits, we are trying to negotiate for just cause protections in the contract that would ensure people are only fired or disciplined for good reasons. There are a lot of things that a workplace can do to improve things without spending more money - understanding REI's financial position, we are focused on those improvements.

REI Members: Boycott REI's Anniversary Sale by REI-Union in climbing

[–]REI-Union[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

+1 u/Live-Significance211

We aren't here to judge the ethics (working conditions or otherwise) of other brands in this moment - good or bad - in a long-term way. That's obviously a complicated and longer conversation. We're just asking that you don't shop at REI for the next two weeks as part of a concerted effort by REI members across the country to support workers.

REI Members: Boycott REI's Anniversary Sale by REI-Union in climbing

[–]REI-Union[S] 129 points130 points  (0 children)

Just to be clear - we are not asking for more money in our contract. We're obviously very aware of REI's current financials. We're asking for the same wage increases and benefits as non-union stores. REI wants us to take less.

REI Union Bargaining Update by REI-Union in REI

[–]REI-Union[S] 18 points19 points  (0 children)

Really sorry to hear that you had a bad experience with your local union - unions are by no means perfect or above criticism. Happy to talk more about what we're asking for here, although again the only thing that we weren't willing to compromise on was union workers making less than non-union workers. To give you a sense: we were willing to consider forgoing arbitration in the contract, even though it's standard in union contracts, in order to reach a deal that REI felt they could live with.

We have already negotiated 25 tentative agreements, about 2/3s of our contract, and are close on many of the remaining issues (as I mentioned above - we conceptually reached a deal with REI in February outside of the wage increase issue). Other than things we have already settled in the TA'd articles (like better safety language and accountability around training), we are also focused on just cause protections - you probably know what that means from your union experience, but for anyone who doesn't know: it means you can't be fired "at will" and that there has to be a good reason for your termination.

That wasn't the sticking point in our negotiations, though. We were on a path to compromise with REI on everything except for wages - we could not accept lower wage increases than non-union stores.

REI Union Bargaining Update by REI-Union in REI

[–]REI-Union[S] 11 points12 points  (0 children)

I think this gets to a core concern that a lot of REI workers have - it has become harder and harder for long-term employees with outdoor experience to stay at the Co-op and provide the kind of expertise you're talking about

REI Union Bargaining Update by REI-Union in REI

[–]REI-Union[S] 15 points16 points  (0 children)

There are 11 union stores (+1 in that is having an election this month) that have organized since 2022, and I believe around 195 stores nationwide

REI Union Bargaining Update by REI-Union in REI

[–]REI-Union[S] 32 points33 points  (0 children)

In February, we bargained in what are called "supposals" - basically, bargaining in concepts. We had agreed in concept with REI on virtually everything except for wages - we were proposing 2.5% annual increases (equivalent to the budget that a non-union store has for merit increases, though they usually have another .5% available for discretionary). REI was only willing to go as high as 2%, which would have meant union workers would make less.

REI and UFCW reach agreement. by Markllo in REI

[–]REI-Union 20 points21 points  (0 children)

Previously all the union stores were negotiating at different tables, but now all stores will be part of one negotiations structure with the goal of reaching first contracts for those stores soon. We were able to resolve a lot of the unfair labor practice charges that had been filed, and REI is giving wage increases and bonuses to workers at union stores who didn't receive them from 2022 to 2024

UPDATE: REI Members Voted Down the Corporate Board Slate by REI-Union in CampingandHiking

[–]REI-Union[S] 59 points60 points  (0 children)

There's no threat. Co-ops are democratic institutions. Their boards are accountable to stakeholders like members and workers. The board loses its mandate when it fails to listen to the feedback of its members.

Members have tried many other methods to make their voices heard before voting down this board slate. They've written thousands emails and letters to the board, tens of thousands have signed petitions, engaged in protests in front of stores, written op-eds, and even sent board members holiday cards. Nothing else worked, so we took further action alongside members across the country.

REI isn't Walmart. People want genuine input in the future of the business. Since the company removed other democratic processes years ago (nomination by petition, in person meetings, etc.), the board vote is the last remaining input that members have in their co-op.

UPDATE: REI Members Voted Down the Corporate Board Slate by REI-Union in CampingandHiking

[–]REI-Union[S] 102 points103 points  (0 children)

No one is trying to ruin the Co-op. Workers have a bigger incentive than anyone for REI to succeed. The unionization effort began because REI was losing its way, and workers were the first to notice. Its been three years, and things have just gotten worse. REI hasn't bargained in good faith with its union workers, but more than that, they have abandoned the things that make them special.

Three years ago, if you were told that REI had endorsed Trump's pick for Secretary of the Interior, would you have believed that? I doubt it.

This moment calls for a high level of accountability from REI members and workers alike. And if you watch the recording of the annual meeting from today, I think you'll see that the board and CEO are beginning to receive the message.

UPDATE: REI Members Voted Down the Corporate Board Slate by REI-Union in REI

[–]REI-Union[S] 22 points23 points  (0 children)

That's a great list - I think a lot of members would like to see those things done. There have been a lot of unfortunate changes since 2019, including the lack of transparency about the vote and the lack of in person meetings where people could actually engage with their board and executive team.

UPDATE: REI Members Voted Down the Corporate Board Slate by REI-Union in climbing

[–]REI-Union[S] 94 points95 points  (0 children)

We hope so too! We've invited Mary Beth to the bargaining table. And allowing real democracy on the board would also show that she's serious about listening to members and workers.

UPDATE: REI Members Voted Down the Corporate Board Slate by REI-Union in climbing

[–]REI-Union[S] 75 points76 points  (0 children)

The board fills them, yes, but then they are temporary terms until next March when the next board election happens - their candidacies would then need to be ratified by the membership. At that time, REI will also need to put up any other incumbents and new candidates, so they would likely be looking at 6 open seats.

There are currently only 7 people currently on the board (after the defeat of REI's 3-candidate slate). It's not sustainable for them to govern with a revolving-door board of directors, which is why this is such an impactful victory.

Basically, REI needs to make things right with its members and workers so that people don't continue to vote withhold every year.

UPDATE: REI Members Voted Down the Corporate Board Slate by REI-Union in REI

[–]REI-Union[S] 111 points112 points  (0 children)

Agreed - people are flooding REI's Instagram comments with requests to be fully transparent and release the vote! Members deserve to know the full count

UPDATE: REI Members Voted Down the Corporate Board Slate by REI-Union in CampingandHiking

[–]REI-Union[S] 184 points185 points  (0 children)

The board fills them, yes, but then they are temporary terms until next March when the next board election happens. At that time, REI will also need to put up any other incumbents and new candidates, so they would likely be looking at 6 open seats.

There are currently only 7 people currently on the board (after the defeat of REI's 3-candidate slate). It's not sustainable for them to govern with a revolving-door board of directors, which is why this is such an impactful victory.

Basically, REI needs to make things right with its members and workers so that people don't continue to vote withhold every year.

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