{"id":64721,"date":"2026-05-15T15:14:20","date_gmt":"2026-05-15T19:14:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ufcw.org\/?post_type=press_releases&p=64721"},"modified":"2026-05-15T15:14:21","modified_gmt":"2026-05-15T19:14:21","slug":"today-landmark-boycott-of-rei-begins-in-stores-and-online","status":"publish","type":"press_releases","link":"https:\/\/www.ufcw.org\/press-releases\/today-landmark-boycott-of-rei-begins-in-stores-and-online\/","title":{"rendered":"TODAY: Landmark Boycott of REI Begins in Stores and Online"},"content":{"rendered":"
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REI Union workers and allies to alert customers to the boycott outside REI stores and online<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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\u201cAll REI has to do to put an end to this boycott is come back to the table and offer a fair agreement. It is really that simple.\u201d \u2013 REI Union worker<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Follow along @REIUnion<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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WASHINGTON, D.C.<\/strong> \u2013<\/strong> Today, workers and customers, led by the REI Union<\/u><\/a><\/strong>, are beginning a 10-day boycott of the REI Co-op\u2019s Anniversary Sale, which takes place through May 25. Workers at REI\u2019s 11 unionized stores are asking shoppers not to shop the sale as a show of solidarity with green vests in the face of four years of bad faith contract negotiations and REI\u2019s scorched-earth union-busting campaign.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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\u201cFor the last four years, REI workers have been committed to reaching an agreement with the co-op, only to be met with ludicrous proposals like bans on speaking out against the company and organizing additional stores,\u201d said Jacob Lish, a REI worker at the co-op\u2019s Maple Grove store<\/strong>. \u201cWe are asking REI customers to make their voices heard and show support for the REI Union over the next 10 days. Since REI won\u2019t listen to us workers at the bargaining table, we think they\u2019ll hear us loud and clear with the support of thousands of REI members and shoppers. REI cannot afford to ignore all of us.\u201d <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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\u201cREI would rather spend thousands on Morgan Lewis\u2019 anti-union lawyers to defeat our union than offer a fair contract,\u201d said Ashley Hamilton, a REI worker at the co-op\u2019s Greensboro store<\/strong>. \u201cOur shoppers know that REI is losing its soul, and with their support in this boycott, we can start to repair the Co-op. Rather than hear us out, the company has tried to silence workers and members, leaving us with no other choice but to boycott A-Sale.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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\u201cI have been a member of REI for 25 years, and I stand with the REI Union,\u201d said Evan Sutton, a REI Co-op member in Seattle.<\/strong> \u201cCo-op members are tired of the company ignoring its own workers, and our calls for fairness have been ignored by a supposedly \u2018democratic\u2019 business. I was planning to resupply during the Anniversary Sale, but instead I\u2019m boycotting in solidarity with the REI Union.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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\u201cCo-op members shop at REI because they believe their values align with those of the company. When REI fails to uphold those values, shoppers have the power to hold them accountable by withholding their business,\u201d said Justina Roberts, a REI worker at the co-op\u2019s Cleveland store<\/strong>. \u201cAll REI has to do to put an end to this boycott is come back to the table and offer a fair agreement. It is really that simple.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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REI\u2019s Anniversary Sale occurs every May and is the retailer\u2019s largest event of the year. Contact <\/strong>press@ufcw.org<\/u><\/a><\/strong> to arrange interviews with REI Union workers.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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BACKGROUND<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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