UFCW - United Food and Commercial Workers International Union

03/25/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 03/25/2026 11:25

REI Union Members Vote to Authorize a Boycott of REI’s Anniversary Sale

Following REI's unlawful declaration of impasse, workers are fighting back by authorizing a boycott of the Co-op's biggest sale of the year

Boycott decision expected by May 1

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, the REI Union announced that an overwhelming majority of unionized REI workers voted in favor of authorizing a boycott of the Co-op's Anniversary Sale if the company doesn't reach a contract with the union. As part of its years-long anti-union campaign, and despite reaching 25 tentative agreements with the union, REI decided to illegally declare impasse and walk away from negotiations on Feb. 24. The company is now unilaterally implementing cuts to benefits, starting wages, and raises for REI Union workers, which led union members to take this critical next step.

Sam Wirt, a REI worker at the co-op's Berkeley, CA store, said:

"Many of us came to REI because we wanted to earn a living helping people get outside, but that has only become more and more difficult as REI continues to silence workers and roll out cuts to benefits.

"This decision to authorize a boycott is not one we've made lightly. We love the work we do, and for decades, REI was a place that prided itself on putting people before profits, but they're now doing the exact opposite. We can set our co-op back on the right path, but only if leadership comes back to the negotiating table, works with us to negotiate a fair contract, and actively engages with the people who keep it running: the workers."

Sue Cottrell, a REI worker at the co-op's Bellingham, WA store, said:

"Voting in favor of a boycott was a tough choice, but we can not stand by and let those at the helm of this company turn it into a churn-and-burn factory like any other corporate retailer.

"We know Co-op members will support our decision because the truth is, they don't shop at the store because REI has the best prices or is the only store in town. They go to REI because of the expertise we bring and the values REI has based its entire core mission around. We're simply asking REI to live up to those values, return to the negotiating table, and agree to a contract that reflects our contribution to the Co-op."

U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinski (D-IL) said:

"REI's decision to declare an impasse and walk away from negotiations is just another tactic in their illegal union-busting campaign. The REI Union has bargained in good faith for more than four years, but management has refused to provide the fair contract these workers deserve.

"I am proud to stand with REI workers as they fight for fair wages, good working conditions, and respect on the job."

Last year, Rep. Budzinski and 62 of her colleagues in Congress sent a letter to REI's board urging them to negotiate a fair contract with the co-op's unionized workers.

BACKGROUND

  • REI's Anniversary Sale occurs every May and is the retailer's largest event of the year. The REI Union expects a broad coalition of support, given the overwhelming solidarity displayed by members over the last several years, especially during the "Vote No" board campaign last year. After two union-backed candidates were prohibited candidacy in REI's 2025 Board of Directors elections, the REI Union sent over 115,000 members to the company's website to vote down the candidates.
  • Since the first REI store unionized in SoHo, N.Y., in 2022, the REI Co-op has engaged in a scorched-earth union-busting campaign both in-store and at the bargaining table, complete with the intimidation of workers, lies about unionization, and the termination of many vocal union supporters. In response, workers have held several multi-day walkouts, community and co-op member actions, garnered support from elected officials from across the country, and more.
  • In July 2025, REI and the union agreed to establish a national bargaining structure to reach collective bargaining agreements for the 11 unionized REI stores. As part of the agreement, REI provided wage increases and bonuses for the years 2022-2025 that the company previously withheld from workers at represented stores.
  • After months of negotiations, REI Union workers voted on a comprehensive offer from REI on February 4, 2026. The offer was rejected by a nearly unanimous vote. Per the national bargaining structure, both parties resumed negotiations later in the month. At the end of those negotiations, REI declared an impasse, while the union disputed the co-op's position by filing claims with an arbitrator.
  • As negotiations were taking place, REI unilaterally changed the bylaws of its board to allow the co-op to appoint unelected directors for a period of three years, whereas previously, directors had to be elected by co-op members. This was a clear attempt to stifle the voices of co-op members and stakeholders.
  • Since 2022, 11 REI stores have voted to unionize: SoHo, N.Y., Berkeley, Calif., Cleveland, Ohio, Chicago, Ill., Boston, Mass., Durham, N.C., Maple Grove, Minn., Bellingham, Wash., Castleton, Ind., Santa Cruz, Calif., and Greensboro, N.C.
  • REI union members are represented by the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Locals 5, 663, 700, 1208, 1445, 3000, and the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU).

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REI Union members are represented by the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) and the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU). Learn more about the growing REI unionization movement here.

The UFCW International is the largest private sector union in the United States, representing 1.2 million workers and their families in retail, grocery, meatpacking, food processing, healthcare, cannabis, and other essential industries. UFCW members serve our communities in all 50 states, Canada and Puerto Rico. Learn more about the UFCW at ufcw.org.

The Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU) represents 100,000 members throughout the United States. The RWDSU is affiliated with the United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW). For more information, please visit our website at www.rwdsu.org, Facebook:/RWDSU.UFCW Twitter:@RWDSU.

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