Indy REI location becomes 9th store to unionize
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Workers at a Castleton REI store in Indianapolis won their union election by a 27-17 vote Friday, joining a young national union collective and becoming the ninth store of the outdoors retailer to unionize.
Workers are demanding consistent hours, competitive wages adjusted for inflation, improved communication as well as healthcare, parental leave and PTO adjustments in their move to unionize.
“An overwhelming number of us voted in favor of unionizing, and we can’t wait to make REI Castleton a better place for everyone,” the national collective posted on social media. “Here’s to forging a stronger Co-op alongside our union siblings nationwide.”
The union workers will join the United Food & Commercial Workers Local 700.
“When workers get together and stand together, they make their workplace better,” UFCW Local 700 President Tracy Bartak on X. “We are very excited for the Castleton @reiunion – welcome to @UFCW700 !!”
The unionization effort is part of a larger wave of retail and food service workers organizing for more say in wages, benefits and treatment. Starbucks, Trader Joe’s and REI workers across the country are kickstarting grassroots unionization pushes despite alleged corporate pushback.
The pandemic resulted in more people indulging in hobbies and getting outdoors, which led to REI having a great sales year in 2022 with a record $3.85 billion. However, REI has had two recent rounds of layoffs with 257 retail workers in October and 357 employees largely at its headquarters. CEO Eric Artz told workers Jan. 25 that they expected lower revenues and a difficult year ahead.
The other eight unionized stores are in New York City; Berkeley, California; Cleveland; Chicago; Boston; Durham, North Carolina; Maple Grove, Minnesota; and Bellingham, Washington. Several of which posted its congratulations to the Indiana store on social media. The first REI store unionized in March 2022 at a New York City location.
Workers will now head to the bargaining table.