FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 1, 2025
Contact: Chelsea Connor (RWDSU) | cconnor@rwdsu.org | 347-866-6259
Finn Storer (UFCW): press@ufcw.org
Media Contact (REI): PRRequests@rei.com
UFCW, RWDSU, AND REI CO-OP REACH AGREEMENT THAT OUTLINES A NEW PATH FORWARD FOR CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS
(CHICAGO, IL) – Today, the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW), the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU), and REI Co-op announced progress on several key topics, including an agreement to establish a national bargaining structure to inform store-level collective bargaining agreements for the 11 unionized REI stores. The agreement comes after joint meetings were held July 28-30 in Chicago, Ill.
“We want what’s best for all REI workers, our customers, and the co-op,” said the REI union bargaining committee. “This agreement is a tremendous step forward in negotiating a first contract, and we look forward to continuing to bargain with REI.”
“This agreement reflects both sides' commitment to finding solutions to complex issues and clears the way for continued good faith discussions toward a collective bargaining agreement,” said the REI Co-op.
As part of the agreement, REI will provide wage increases and bonuses for the years 2022-2024 that workers at represented stores did not previously receive. Additionally, Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) charges filed with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) against the co-op were dropped.
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) Locals 379 and 1102.
Since 2022, 11 REI stores have voted to unionize: SoHo, New York; Berkeley, California; Cleveland, Ohio; Chicago, Illinois; Boston, Massachusetts; Durham, North Carolina; Bellingham, Washington; Maple Grove, Minnesota; Castleton, Indiana; Santa Cruz, California and Greensboro, North Carolina.
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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 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, Instagram: @rwdsustrong.