u/JKBFree

Taken from Nomads Nation's review of the CAS1.

We just got the small CAS1, so guess we're getting a small edc pack, a tech sling soon, and a logo patch soon?

REI Union workers are asking members to sit out this year's Anniversary Sale (now til May 25) to send a clear message to REI's leadership to do right by their employees and finally reach a first contract. Over 70,000 co-op members have pledged not to shop during the sale - please join the boycott and spread the word to your friends and family! Go to reiboycott.com to learn more.

TLDR

• Workers at union stores are calling for a boycott of REI's sale from May 15 - 25 - please don't shop the sale!
• REI has imposed drastic benefit cuts and lower wage increases on union stores and is not bargaining in good faith
• After co-op members voted down REI's board candidates last year, the company changed their bylaws so they could unilaterally appoint candidates to a full, 3-year term without an election
• REI continues to be represented by union busting law firm Morgan Lewis - a firm better known for working with Trump and Elon Musk

Background + Negotiations

We have been unionizing for four years, and throughout that time we have tried to reach an agreement with REI.

With our first contract, we are aiming to lock in basic protections like just cause and the grievance process. We aren't asking for more from REI economically - we are asking for parity on pay and benefits.

We have already reached 25 tentative agreements on articles of a contract with REI, about 2/3s of the overall agreement. In February, we were poised to reach a deal with them, but they would not agree to give equal raises to union stores. REI wanted union workers to get lower raises, which we couldn't accept.

Now, REI is imposing a "Last, Best, and Final Offer" (LBFO) on union stores that includes drastic cuts to benefits and lower wage increases for union workers. REI workers at non-union stores are already aware of the upcoming cuts to retirement, sick, and vacation benefits. On top of those cuts, REI's LBFO cuts to union stores take away people's personal leave, discretionary extended medical leave, and two personal days ("Way Days," which are meant to help people get outside). The LBFO also has lower wage increases for union workers than non-union workers.

Under labor law, an LBFO can only be implemented when parties are at impasse - meaning there is no more room to bargain. Yet, REI itself has continually said they will continue negotiating. In our opinion, this LBFO is being used to punish union workers and prevent other REI workers from wanting to unionize.

You can read a full bargaining update here.

Democracy at REI + Why We're Boycotting

For four years, many REI co-op members have asked us why we aren't calling for a boycott. The reason was simple - we believe our prosperity is bound to REI's. As a result, we have tried every other avenue - strikes, rallies, letters from elected officials, petitions, etc. - to try and reach an agreement.

Last year, in our biggest action yet, many of you helped us to defeat REI's corporate board slate (after pro-labor, pro-environment candidates were blocked from the ballot) to send a strong message to REI about what co-op members expect. That board election resulted in us having a national negotiating table for the first time, and for a while it seemed like REI's new CEO Mary Beth Laughton was listening to members and workers.

Then, REI changed its bylaws (old bylaws, new bylaws). Now, if REI members vote down a candidate, REI can simply replace the full term of that candidate without any election. As a result, REI has 3 candidates on its board - Lisa Bougie, Eric Sprunk, and John Vandemore - who have not and will not be voted on by members during their first term. Bougie and Sprunk are both Nike HQ veterans who overlapped with REI's new CEO during her time at Nike.

By changing their bylaws, REI has essentially eliminated the last venue for co-op members and workers to have a voice. Over the years, they have already stripped away many of the democratic elements that made them a cooperative, including:

• No longer releasing board meeting minutes (since 2023)
• Not having in person member meetings (since 2019), and no longer allowing members to ask questions at annual member meetings (since 2026)
• Not releasing executive compensation information (since 2025) - meaning no one knows what REI's new CEO is being paid
• Not releasing board election tallies (since 2019)
• Not allowing self-nominated board members to get on the ballot by collecting petition signatures - only board-approved candidates can get on the ballot

With all other avenues for feedback closed, union workers made the difficult decision to authorize and call for a boycott. We love REI as much as you do, and wish it hadn't come to this, but we see no other option than asking you to vote with your wallet.

We hope you will join us and send a strong message to REI this A Sale, so that we can return the co-op to its roots once and for all.