Unionized REI workers call for boycott of Anniversary Sale

Unionized REI workers have called for a boycott of the outdoor retailer’s Anniversary Sale, escalating a labor fight around the co-op’s biggest sales event of the year. The boycott was announced May 4 by the REI Union, which is affiliated with the United Food and Commercial Workers. REI’s Anniversary Sale is scheduled to run from May 15 through May 25, according to the company. REI said in a May 2 statement that it had bargained with UFCW and RWDSU locals from April 28 to April 30 but did not reach agreement. ### Why are unionized REI workers targeting the Anniversary Sale? The REI Union said May 4 that workers at the co-op’s 11 unionized stores were calling for a boycott after negotiations in Chicago ended “without a fair contract offer.” The union said the sale was being targeted because it is REI’s largest annual sales event. (ufcw.org) Alex Pollitt, identified by the union as a worker at REI’s Bellingham, Washington, store, said in the union announcement that REI had “refused to offer us a fair contract” and had pushed provisions the union says would limit future organizing and restrict workers from speaking publicly. The union also said REI had proposed wages in late February that would leave workers at unionized stores earning less than workers at non-union stores. (ufcw.org) ### How much support does the boycott claim to have? The union said 70,000 REI workers and shoppers had pledged to boycott the Anniversary Sale as of its May 4 announcement. The figure appeared in both the UFCW press release and a related union blog post. A separate union action preceded the boycott call. (ufcw.org) On March 25, the REI Union said an “overwhelming majority” of unionized workers had voted to authorize a boycott if the company did not reach a contract, and said REI had reached 25 tentative agreements before declaring an impasse on Feb. 24. U.S. Representative Nikki Budzinski, an Illinois Democrat, said in that March 25 union release that she supported the workers’ push for a fair contract. ### What is REI saying about the bargaining fight? REI said May 2 that it had been engaged in ongoing bargaining with UFCW and RWDSU locals over the previous several weeks and met again from April 28 through April 30 to continue negotiating agreements covering 11 unionized stores. The company said it came prepared to bargain in good faith and called the boycott “a disappointing move that targets the co-op.” (ufcw.org) The company also said the union’s public campaign risked jobs, wages, benefits and future opportunities, and said it remained ready to negotiate “at the bargaining table.” REI said union leaders had “no current interest in continuing to meet,” while the union has said management’s conduct forced the boycott call. (rei.com) ### How large is the sale the union is trying to disrupt? REI said on May 8 that the Anniversary Sale would run for 11 days, from May 15 to May 25, and include deals on more than 6,000 products. The company said shoppers could save 25% on REI Co-op brand clothing and gear, with discounts of up to 25% on other outdoor brands. (rei.com) REI describes the event in its promotional material as its “biggest sale of the year.” That language matches the union’s framing of the boycott as pressure timed to a major commercial moment for the co-op. ### What else shows the labor campaign is still expanding? (rei.com) An NLRB case filed April 27 shows organizing activity is continuing beyond the 11 already unionized stores. The case covers REI’s San Diego location, lists 119 employees in the proposed unit, and remained open as of the board’s case page. The NLRB says it protects private-sector employees’ rights to act together to improve wages and working conditions. (rei.com) The San Diego filing does not resolve the boycott dispute, but it shows labor activity at REI is still moving through formal channels as the sale begins May 15. (nlrb.gov 1) (nlrb.gov 2)