REI Co-op and two groups representing employees at 11 of its unionized stores, the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) and the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU), have reportedly made progress on several key topics, including an agreement to establish a national bargaining structure to inform store-level collective bargaining agreements at the stores.
The agreement was reached following joint meetings held on July 28-30, 2025, in Chicago, IL.
“We want what’s best for all REI workers, our customers and the co-op,” said the REI union bargaining committee in a media statement. “This agreement is a tremendous step forward in negotiating a first contract, and we look forward to continuing to bargain with REI.”
An REI spokesperson said the 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.”
As part of the agreement, REI will reportedly provide wage increases and bonuses for the years 2022 to 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 REI 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, the following 11 REI stores have voted to unionize: SoHo (NYC); Berkeley, CA; Cleveland, OH; Chicago, IL; Boston, MA; Durham, NC; Maple Grove, MN; Bellingham, WA; Castleton, IN; Santa Cruz, CA; and Greensboro, NC.
Image courtesy REI Co-op
