Congressman Dan Goldman Urges REI to Negotiate Fair Collective Bargaining Agreement with Workers

 

 

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Dan Goldman (NY-10) and Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) and the co-chairs of the Congressional Labor Caucus Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01), Congressman Mark Pocan (WI-02), Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-06) and Congressman Steven Horsford (NV-04) led a letter with 57 of their colleagues urging REI and their Board of Directors to commit to expeditiously negotiating a fair collective bargaining agreement with unionized employees across 10 of its stores. 

 

Despite forming nearly three years ago, REI has refused to formally recognize the Retail, Wholesale, and Department Store Union (RWDSU) union at its flagship SoHo store and has not yet finalized a collective bargaining agreement with its unionized workers that codifies the employees’ pay, benefits, workplace safety, and more. 

 

“We urge REI to meet its duties as required under the National Labor Relations Act to negotiate and refrain from union-busting tactics such as eliminating bonuses and raises, terminations of union supporters, and unilateral changes to REI’s staffing and scheduling practices,” the member said. 

 

REI recently underwent a restructuring in 2023 which laid off 275 full-time employees and replaced them with part-time or contract positions, hurting local economies across the country and undercutting REI’s commitment to its employees. 

 

“Workers have been negotiating with REI for three years and are far from reaching an agreement. Given that it is the policy of the United States to encourage collective bargaining under the NLRA, REI should respect the freedom of association of its workforce, commit to remain neutral in future union elections, and refrain from utilizing unlawful union-busting tactics,” the members concluded. 

 

 

Dear Mr. Carr, 

  

We, the undersigned members of Congress, write to urge REI to bargain in good faith with the workers at the SoHo, Berkeley, Cleveland, Chicago, Boston, Durham, Maple Grove, Bellingham, Castleton, and Santa Cruz stores, and commit to expeditiously negotiating a fair and just collective bargaining agreement with your workers. 

  

We urge REI to meet its duties as required under the National Labor Relations Act to negotiate and refrain from union-busting tactics such as eliminating bonuses and raises, terminations of union supporters, and unilateral changes to REI’s staffing and scheduling practices. 

  

We have also heard concerns about REI’s 2023 restructuring, which laid off 275 experienced full-time employees across the co-op and replaced them with part-time and temporary employees. Transforming well-paid, full-time positions into more precarious part-time and contract positions hurts our communities and runs counter to REI’s long-standing reputation as a great employer. 

  

Workers have been negotiating with REI for three years and are far from reaching an agreement. Given that it is the policy of the United States to encourage collective bargaining under the NLRA, REI should respect the freedom of association of its workforce, commit to remain neutral in future union elections, and refrain from utilizing unlawful union busting tactics. 

  

We urge REI to make progress towards finalizing collective bargaining agreements with the REI workers immediately.