Rally at flagship REI store amid member frustrations

REI workers to rally against company

Dozens of REI workers will rally against the company on Monday morning.

SEATTLE - There is a rally scheduled at the flagship REI in Seattle on Monday, Mar. 3 to address recent changes from the company.

The United Food and Commercial Workers Union 3000 announced the demonstration at the REI at 222 Yale Ave North in Seattle's South Lake Union neighborhood.

The backstory:

REI Co-op, the largest consumer cooperative in America, has frustrated members, workers, and environmental organizations with recent moves, including a layoff of more than 400 workers when the company decided to exit the 'Experiences' business.

"The reality is a thriving co-op requires a sustainable economic model that is capable of investing at the appropriate level to fully fund our most critical strategic ambitions," REI President and CEO Eric Artz said, following the decision.

Artz said that the Experiences business served only 40,000 customers in 2024, less than 0.4% of all co-op customers, and was unprofitable.

SEATTLE, WA - OCTOBER 24: With the goal of doubling participation this year, specialty outdoor retailer REI, once again announces it will close 143 stores nationwide on Black Friday with an #OptOutside banner at the Seattle flagship store. on October

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Dig deeper:

Additionally, an endorsement of a recent Trump administration official drew the ire of the REI Union.

What they're saying:

The union issued the following points in a statement ahead of their plans in Seattle on Monday, Mar. 3.

"Serious labor rights violations - including debt bondage and discrimination - in the factories that make REI branded apparel and bicycles."
"Elimination of its ‘Experiences’ division and layoffs of 400 REI workers."
"Putting workers health & safety at risk by removing respirators from ski/snow shops around the country."
"Continued fight against unionized workers at eleven stores nationwide with illegal union busting tactics."

The Source: Information for this article comes from the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) union.