(WASHINGTON, D.C.) - Unionized REI Workers with the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU)/United Food & Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) have filed coordinated, nationwide Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) Charges against their employer, Recreational Equipment, Incorporated (REI), over the company’s bad faith bargaining practices and unilateral workplace changes that show a pattern of egregious Anti-Union behavior, emotional manipulation and retaliatory actions against Workers - such as firings, changes to work schedules and disciplinary practices.

Workers from all eight Unionized REI locations filed charges with their regional National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) Offices. 

The filings come on the heels of REI Worker walkouts at the Chicago, Maple Grove, and Boston locations - as well as coordinated actions across eight states with REI Workers engaging customers and raising awareness of the company’s hypocritical mistreatment of its Workers, the RWDSU/UFCW said.

Graham Gale, a Shop Mechanic at the SoHo, New York REI, said: “We, the Workers of REI Union SoHo, have spent over eighteen-months pushing for a first contract.  The struggle has been difficult, but we’re continuing to fight because we need meaningful change in our workplace.  REI has targeted us, the first store to organize, from the very beginning, and now in an aggressive move, they hired Amazon’s notorious Union-Busting Attorney, Morgan Lewis. This decision made clear that REI is more interested in fighting its own Workers than having meaningful negotiations with us.  We’ve spent the last six months in only a handful of sessions, and seeing little agreement, while re-educating the new lawyers on our long-held issues.  We join together with all of the Unionized stores nationwide to demand REI bargain in good faith towards a fair first contract.  REI, if you truly believe in the values you profess, come to the table.  Until then, green vests from coast to coast will continue to build power, numbers and solidarity.  This Union is not going anywhere.”

Clare Davis, a Bike and Snow Shop Senior Mechanic employed at the Berkeley, California REI said: “Unionized REI Workers from across the country stood up and said: ‘Enough is enough.’  We will not sit by as management systematically spreads misinformation, subjects Employees to emotional manipulation and commits clear violations of Federal Labor Law.  Current leadership has abandoned the vision of the founders who truly lived REI’s progressive values and love for the outdoors.  The Workers at REI are keeping that vision alive with our hard work, expertise, community service, and yes - by forming a Union.  Despite the onslaught of Union Busting tactics, we will keep organizing and winning elections.  When we stand together, we win.”

Despite REI’s concerted, multi-pronged Union Busting Campaign, there has been a wave of Unionization efforts by REI Workers across the country, with eight stores successfully Unionizing in: SoHo; Berkeley: Cleveland; Chicago; Boston; Durham, North Carolina; Maple Grove, Minnesota; and Bellingham, Washington.

The RWDSU represents 100,000 Members throughout the U.S. and is affiliated with the UFCW.

To Directly Access This Labor News Story In Its Entirety, Go To: REI WORKERS TAKE NATIONWIDE LEGAL ACTION AGAINST EMPLOYER — Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU)