The REI Union has authorized a boycott of the outdoor retailer’s upcoming anniversary sale and a decision about whether to go through with the action is expected by May 1.
REI expressed disappointment in an emailed statement to ESG Dive sister publication Retail Dive, calling its sale “a moment centered on our members and one that the vast majority of our employees take pride in supporting.”
“Actions like this aimed at weakening the business can have real, lasting consequences, and put the jobs, wages, benefits, and future opportunities employees depend on at risk," the retailer said. "This certainly seems to undermine the very outcomes the union says it is focused on."
The boycott vote was a response to REI’s decision earlier this month to declare an impasse in negotiations with the union — a labor collective of 11 REI stores backed by various United Food and Commercial Workers and Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union locals. This is a legal maneuver that allows the retailer to take unilateral steps, including ones that had been rejected by the union. In February, REI went ahead with changes to retirement plans, vacation time and sick time that the union is against.
Still, in its March 26 statement, REI said it “believes that real progress comes from focused negotiations at the table and remains ready to continue bargaining in good faith.”
“We’re waiting on the [union] to make any counterproposal that might restart talks, given the current impasse that was reached after REI made a last, best, and final offer in January,” the retailer said.
In emailed statements provided by the union, store workers said the vote was tough but necessary and expressed confidence that REI Co-op members would participate if the union ultimately calls for a boycott.
The adversarial stance that REI has taken as its stores have unionized has upset some longtime customers, and experts say that for many it clashes with the retailer’s progressive reputation. Sue Cottrell, a worker at the Bellingham, Washington, store, said that REI isn’t otherwise all that unique.
“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,” Cottrell said. “They go to REI because of the expertise we bring and the values REI has based its entire core mission around.”
The consequences for REI could be profound, as seen at Target. The mass merchant has suffered lost sales and consumer affection over its handling of diversity issues and Pride celebrations.
REI didn’t immediately respond to questions about feedback it has received from co-op members on issues related to the union and store workers. The REI Union said last year’s board election — three REI board nominees, including two incumbents, were rejected after the union urged a no vote — shows that customers are likely to support a boycott.
