REI union workers call boycott of sale

REI union workers are urging customers to skip the outdoor retailer’s biggest annual promotion after contract talks broke down ahead of the company’s Anniversary Sale. The boycott call was announced May 4 by the REI Union, which is backed by the United Food and Commercial Workers and the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union, and targets the sale scheduled for May 15 through May 25. (ufcw.org) REI said the move would distract from negotiations and hurt the co-op’s business. The dispute centers on first-contract bargaining covering 11 unionized REI stores. ### When did workers call the boycott, and what are they asking shoppers to do? (rei.com) May 4 was the date the REI Union publicly called for a consumer boycott of the Anniversary Sale, saying shoppers should avoid buying during the 11-day event. The union said the action followed another round of bargaining in Chicago that ended without what it called a fair contract offer. The union said workers at the 11 organized stores were taking the step with support from 70,000 REI Co-op members who had pledged not to shop the sale if bargaining continued to stall. Alex Pollitt, a worker at REI’s Bellingham, Washington, store, said in the union announcement that the company had “left us no choice but to boycott.” (ufcw.org) ### What is the Anniversary Sale that the union is targeting? May 15 through May 25 are the dates REI has set for its 2026 Anniversary Sale, which the company describes as its biggest sale of the year. REI said more than 6,000 products would be discounted, including 25% off REI Co-op brand clothing and gear and member coupons on full-price and outlet items. (ufcw.org) REI’s sale materials also say members can join for a one-time $30 fee and receive benefits including an annual member reward on eligible purchases. The company has promoted the event as a major seasonal draw for both members and nonmembers. (ufcw.org) ### What does the union say the contract fight is about? March 25 was the date the union said an overwhelming majority of unionized workers voted to authorize a boycott if no contract was reached. In that announcement, the union said REI had declared impasse on Feb. 24 despite 25 tentative agreements and had begun implementing cuts to benefits, starting wages and raises. (rei.com) February 27 brought a joint update carried on the REI Union site saying REI had declared bargaining impasse and was implementing the economic terms of its last, best and final offer at the 11 certified stores. That same update said the union disputed the company’s position and had filed claims challenging it. (rei.com) May 4 statements from union workers added other complaints. Jeff Rosemeyer, a worker at the Castleton, Indiana, store, said the boycott was meant to pressure REI back to the table for what workers describe as a fair contract. ### How has REI responded? (ufcw.org) May 2 was the date REI published its formal response to the planned boycott. The company said it had met with UFCW and RWDSU locals on April 28-30 to continue bargaining and came prepared to negotiate in good faith, but the parties did not reach agreement. (ourrei.com) REI said the boycott “targets the co-op” and “puts jobs, wages, benefits, and future opportunity at risk.” The company also said it remained ready to continue bargaining, adding that union leaders had “no current interest” in returning to the table. (ufcw.org) ### How broad is the union campaign at REI right now? April 27 was the date workers at REI’s San Diego store filed for a union election with the National Labor Relations Board. The NLRB case listing says the proposed unit covers 119 nonsupervisory employees, and the REI Union site says voting is scheduled for May 27 and May 28. (rei.com) August 4, 2025, was the date UFCW, RWDSU and REI announced a national bargaining structure for the 11 unionized stores. That framework was meant to inform store-level collective bargaining agreements, but the sides are still without a first contract as the sale approaches. (rei.com) May 15 is the next immediate test. REI’s Anniversary Sale begins that day and runs through May 25, while the San Diego election is set for May 27-28, according to the NLRB docket and the union’s campaign site. (rei.com) (ufcw.org) (nlrb.gov)