Brown, Colleagues Send Letter Calling on REI to “Get Back to the Table” for Negotiations with Workers

Washington, DC – Congresswoman Shontel Brown (OH-11) joined 35 of her House Democratic colleagues in a letter urging REI Co-op to return to the bargaining table and negotiate in good faith, as required by federal law, to reach a fair collective bargaining agreement with unionized workers at stores across the country. The letter to REI was sent by Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) and co-led by Rep. Dan Goldman (NY-10) and Congressional Labor Caucus Co-Chairs Reps. Norcross (NJ-01), Pocan (WI-02), Dingell (MI-06), and Horsford (NV-04). 

Unionized workers at the REI Cleveland Store in Orange, Ohio, and other locations nationwide are seeking a fair collective bargaining agreement.   

The letter follows a January letter from Brown and her colleagues urging REI to fulfill its obligations under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) and negotiate in good faith.  

The members wrote, “We are concerned to hear from workers and constituents that more than a year later – and four years since the first union election – both parties appear no closer to reaching an agreement. The first contract offered by REI was voted down by 98.5% of participating voting union workers this past February, and the subsequent “last, best, and final offer” failed to bridge the divide between the parties, leading REI to declare an impasse.”

They continued, “REI should refrain from engaging in union-busting tactics that are inconsistent with national policy encouraging collective bargaining and freedom of association under the NLRA.”

To read the full letter, see below or click HERE.

Chris Carr

Chair, Board of Directors

REI

1700 45th Street East

Sumner, Washington 98390

We, the undersigned members of Congress, write to urge REI to return to the bargaining table and negotiate in good faith, as required by federal law, to reach a fair collective bargaining agreement with unionized workers at stores located in 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.

In our previous letter dated January 24, 2025, we urged REI to fulfill its obligations under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) to negotiate a contract in good faith. We are concerned to hear from workers and constituents that more than a year later – and four years since the first union election – both parties appear no closer to reaching an agreement. The first contract offered by REI was voted down by 98.5% of participating voting union workers this past February, and the subsequent “last, best, and final offer” failed to bridge the divide between the parties, leading REI to declare an impasse.

Impending cuts to worker benefits and starting hourly wages as a result of the impasse come at a We also continue to hear concerns regarding previous company restructuring replacing experienced full-time employees with part-time and temporary employees. Lastly, we are troubled by reports that REI members are no longer able to attend annual member meetings, ask questions of the board, or nominate directors for consideration by the broader membership. We reiterate that REI should refrain from engaging in union-busting tactics that are inconsistent with national policy encouraging collective bargaining and freedom of association under the NLRA.

Initial negotiations between both parties were productive and produced 25 tentative agreements. As such, we strongly encourage REI to reengage with these workers in good faith, in accordance with requirements under the NLRA, and reach a fair agreement that best serves all parties without further delay.

We thank you for your attention to this important issue.

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