The Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU) has reported that employees working at the REI Co-op in Greensboro, NC, voted to join the RWDSU, making REI Greensboro the eleventh unionized REI store in nationwide.

RWDSU said in a statement that REI Greensboro workers first began organizing following the co-op’s October 2023 layoffs, which cut 275 jobs of “the most experienced workers,” known as “leads” or “green vests” from stores across the U.S. Two of the most tenured lead retail sales employees in its Greensboro store were among those whom the retailer laid off.

“I am honored to be a part of REI #108. I voted Yes to the union because it is so much more about the here and now,” said Kylar Ray, retail sales specialist/visual specialist, REI Greensboro. “Throughout this process, we’ve continually come back to how we feel as though the co-op has stepped away from its core values, especially starting from a place of respect.”

Kayleigh Clark, a retail sales specialist at REI Greensboro, added, “Our union at REI Greensboro is not just a labor movement, but a wonderful example of what happens when people who care come together to create actionable change. REI has moved away from the co-op values, empty promises that were never truly abided by. Allowing green vests to have a say in what issues impact them personally is imperative to us continuing to outfit our members properly and utilize our expertise. I believe in a future where REI executives and store-level employees can find common ground and enhance access to the outdoors for all.”

The vote to unionize REI Greensboro was reportedly conducted by an in-person vote in the store breakroom on Friday, January 24, 2025, by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).

The RWDSU reported it will represent approximately 24 REI employees in contract negotiations, which will commence shortly. The workers in the bargaining unit include all full- and regular part-time store sales specialists, senior sales specialists, senior shipping and receiving specialists, senior operations specialists, and bike and snow shop mechanics.

The RWDSU also represents nearly 200 employees at REI’s SoHo, New York City Flagship and its Cleveland, OH and Chicago, IL stores.

REI SoHo Ski Shop Worker Settlement
In other REI news, the union ended a 52-day strike for NYC REI SoHo ski shop workers. Since December 4, 2024, eight workers employed in the REI SoHo bike and ski shop have been out on a health and safety strike. Workers reportedly walked out after REI removed personal protective equipment (PPE) previously supplied by the company from the bike and ski shop without providing any evidence to support their assertion that the work environment is safe to perform ski work in without respirators.

After this week’s round of contract negotiations with the company, REI SoHo workers won an agreement putting them back to work, which allows workers to wear PPE again for their safety.

Importantly, the union said REI will perform air quality testing in the bike and ski shop no later than March 14, 2025 and ski shop workers will return to work on January 26, 2025. REI will also reinstate proper PPE maintenance training in what is known as the “REI Spark” training, which covers: (a) Respirator use and limitation, (b) How to inspect, put on, remove, use and check seals, (c) Respirator selection available, (d) Maintenance, cleaning, and storage procedures, and (e) Information from the OSHA Respiratory Standard (29 Code of Federal Regulations 1910.134 Appendix D) for employees who voluntarily wear a respirator.

“Worker safety should always come first. REI’s actions two months ago needlessly put workers at risk by throwing away perfectly good protective equipment,” said Stuart Appelbaum, president, RWDSU. “Today’s win shows that when workers stand up and take action, they can and will be heard. No amount of snow or ice will keep REI workers from standing up for what’s right, even 52 days of frigid, often single-digit temperatures. Our members at REI SoHo look forward to returning to work helping New Yorkers get out onto the slopes safely while protected at work.”

Images courtesy Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union