GREENSBORO, N.C. (BRAIN) — REI Co-op workers here voted to unionize, becoming the 11th store location to join the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU).
Greensboro workers began the process after REI reduced the workforce by 275 company wide in October 2023. Most of the cuts were "leads," who are the most experienced in the chain, with the Greensboro store losing two.
According to the RWDSU, Greensboro joins 10 others fighting for fair pay, guaranteed hours, a path to full-time status, and transfer opportunities within REI. The vote to unionize was conducted Friday by the National Labor Relations Board.
Other REI stores that have unionized include SoHo, New York; Berkeley, California; Cleveland; Chicago; Durham, North Carolina; Boston; Bellingham, Washington; Maple Grove, Minnesota; Castleton, Indiana; and Santa Cruz, California.
The RWDSU also announced that SoHo ski shop workers ended a 52-day health and safety strike. Eight workers walked out after REI removed personal protective equipment from the bike and ski shop without providing evidence the workplace was safe to perform ski work without respirators.
An agreement was reached for REI to provide PPE and for the company to perform air quality testing no later than March 14. REI also will reinstate PPE maintenance training.
