REI Workers Seek Help in Contract Fight

UFCW-represented REI workers, including those organized by Local 5 in Berkeley and Santa Cruz, continue their three-year effort to win a first contract in the face of a pervasive anti-union company effort that has resulted in nearly 50 NLRB Unfair Labor Practice charges.

They are now asking for the public’s help.  REI markets itself as a customer-owned co-op, but under the leadership of Cameron Janes (formerly of Walmart and Amazon) and Apple Musni (formerly of anti-union Chipotle and Target), the company has drifted further from its cooperative values. However, REI still needs to hold Co-Op Board elections—and that’s where supporters have an opportunity to hold them accountable.

Here's what unions can do:

  1. Help Turn Out Union Members to Vote NO in the REI Co-Op Board Elections
    • The election runs from March 3 – May 1.
    • Send an email to your union membership, encouraging them to register and vote NO on REI’s Board selections.
  2. Turn out members to the April 26th Community Hearing in Berkeley
    • Hosted by Congressman Mark DeSaulnier, alongside  Greenpeace, 350.org, and other environmental organizations and with Special Guest Speaker Congresswoman Lateefah Simon,
  3. Help Mobilize Co-Op Members to Vote
    • Workers will be flyering outside non-union REI locations across the Bay on April 10th.

For details and more information, contact Ron Lind at (408) 772-6609 or [email protected].