{"id":64330,"date":"2026-03-25T13:17:36","date_gmt":"2026-03-25T17:17:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ufcw.org\/?post_type=press_releases&p=64330"},"modified":"2026-03-25T13:17:37","modified_gmt":"2026-03-25T17:17:37","slug":"rei-union-votes-to-authorize-boycott","status":"publish","type":"press_releases","link":"https:\/\/www.ufcw.org\/press-releases\/rei-union-votes-to-authorize-boycott\/","title":{"rendered":"REI Union Members Vote to Authorize a Boycott of REI\u2019s Anniversary Sale"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Following REI’s unlawful declaration of impasse, workers are fighting back by authorizing a boycott of the Co-op\u2019s biggest sale of the year<\/em><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Boycott decision expected by May 1<\/em><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n
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WASHINGTON, D.C.<\/strong> \u2013 <\/strong>Today, the REI Union<\/a><\/u><\/strong> announced that an overwhelming majority of unionized REI workers voted in favor of authorizing a boycott of the Co-op\u2019s Anniversary Sale if the company doesn’t reach a contract with the union. As part of its years-long anti-union campaign, and despite reaching 25 tentative agreements with the union, REI decided to illegally declare 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.  <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Sam Wirt, a REI worker at the co-op\u2019s Berkeley, CA store,<\/strong> said: <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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\u201cMany 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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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\u201cThis 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.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Sue Cottrell, a REI worker at the co-op\u2019s Bellingham, WA store,<\/strong>\u00a0said:\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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\u201cVoting in favor of a boycott was a tough choice, but we can not stand by and let those at the helm of this company turn it into a churn-and-burn factory like any other corporate retailer. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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\u201cWe know Co-op members will support our decision because the truth is, they don\u2019t 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\u2019re 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.\u201d <\/p>\n<\/div><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n

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U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinski (D-IL)<\/strong> said:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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\u201cREI\u2019s decision to declare an impasse and walk away from negotiations is just another tactic in their illegal union-busting campaign. 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. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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\u201cI am proud to stand with REI workers as they fight for fair wages, good working conditions, and respect on the job.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Last year, Rep. Budzinski and 62 of her colleagues in Congress sent<\/a>\u00a0a letter to REI\u2019s board urging them to negotiate a fair contract with the co-op\u2019s unionized workers.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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BACKGROUND<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n
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