REI could possibly be heading into its busiest stretch of the yr dealing with a boycott.
Unionized staff will vote subsequent week on whether or not they need to ask clients to not store on the out of doors retailer throughout its anniversary sale in Might. A vote in favor of the boycott would mark a serious escalation within the employees’ yearslong battle for a primary union contract.
“I do imagine there will probably be some large assist for this, and sadly so,” mentioned Anni Saludo, an worker of 15 years at REI’s Durham, North Carolina, location. “It’s not a straightforward ask, however it’s the solely avenue I really feel that we’ve got to get them to hearken to us.”
Employees have organized 11 of REI’s roughly 190 shops over the previous 4 years in a push for larger wages and a voice on the job. REI, which payments itself as a progressive, member-owned cooperative, nonetheless hasn’t agreed to a collective bargaining settlement for any of these shops.
The aim of the boycott could be to power REI to shut a deal relatively than face misplaced gross sales at a vital time. The retailer spends weeks hyping its anniversary sale, when it gives juicy reductions on tenting and mountain climbing gear simply forward of summer season. Many REI buyers maintain out for the sale to make their largest buy of the yr with a member coupon.
An REI spokesperson referred to as the upcoming boycott vote “disappointing,” and mentioned the retailer was “dedicated to reaching an settlement that helps staff and the co-op’s long-term well being.”
“Actions like this aimed toward weakening the enterprise can have actual, lasting penalties, and put the roles, wages, advantages, and future alternatives staff rely on in danger,” the spokesperson mentioned in an e-mail. “This definitely appears to undermine the very outcomes the union says it’s targeted on.”
“It’s not a straightforward ask, however it’s the solely avenue I really feel that we’ve got to get them to hearken to us.”
– Anni Saludo, REI employee
If employees on the union shops vote in favor, the boycott could be referred to as for each in-store and on-line searching for the extent of the sale, which usually runs for about 10 days main as much as Memorial Day. Customers may count on to come across picket traces at each union and nonunion places.
The success of the boycott would hinge on the union’s capability to publicize it — and REI buyers’ willingness to honor it. The co-op’s core buyer base tends to skew younger and liberal, and Saludo mentioned she’s been heartened by the assist from clients when union shops have gone on strike previously.
“Our [co-op] members will completely perceive why we’re doing this,” she mentioned.
Employees on the organized shops are represented by the United Meals and Business Employees union and its affiliate, the Retail, Wholesale and Division Retailer Union. The teams have accused REI of a slew of labor legislation violations all through the marketing campaign, together with retaliating towards pro-union employees and bargaining in dangerous religion to keep away from an settlement. REI has denied the claims.
Accusations of a “scorched-earth union-busting campaign” have taken some sheen off REI’s popularity as a high-road employer extra involved with local weather change than company earnings. The retailer is represented in labor talks by Morgan Lewis, a management-side legislation agency recognized for enjoying hardball with unions.
Bruce Bennett by way of Getty Photos
The 2 sides appeared to make some progress in negotiations final yr once they agreed to a framework for bargaining and reached a number of tentative agreements. However they by no means settled on main financial points, together with pay raises.
REI lately instructed the union it believed they’d reached an “deadlock” in talks and that it deliberate to unilaterally implement a remaining supply over the union’s objections. REI additionally introduced it could be reducing its beginning wages and watering down trip and retirement advantages this summer season, Bloomberg reported final week.
The cooperative has struggled financially in recent times. It reported a 6% gross sales lower and a net loss of $156 million for 2024. It shuttered its tour and occasions enterprise and laid off a whole bunch of employees in early 2025. It additionally introduced on a brand new CEO, Mary Beth Laughton, in hopes of turning round its slumping gross sales.
A boycott isn’t one thing the union would take calmly. Though it may present a brand new strain level on REI, it may be divisive among the many staff at nonunion shops that the UFCW hopes to prepare. And if the boycott doesn’t have its meant impact, it may find yourself emboldening administration to carry out relatively than expediting a deal.
Saludo mentioned she and different employees don’t wish to inflict monetary ache on their very own employer however really feel they’ve been left with little alternative with the way in which bargaining has dragged on.
“This can be a co-op not appearing like a co-op,” she mentioned. “We would like REI to be the REI it says it’s.”
This story has been up to date with remark from REI.
