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New York REI Store Votes to Form a Union

The store and its employees will be represented by the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union

Published

2 years ago

March 4, 2022

VMSD Staff

New York REI Store Votes to Form a Union — An REI storefront in Salem Oregon at the Keizer Station shops. PHOTOGRAPHY: iStock

An REI storefront in Salem Oregon at the Keizer Station shops. PHOTOGRAPHY: iStock

An REI (Kent, Wash.) store in New York’s Manhattan voted this past Wednesday to form a union, with an 86 percent majority voting in its favor, Retail Dive reports.

REI responded in a statement: “REI firmly believes that the decision of whether or not to be represented by a union is an important one, and we respect each employee’s right to choose or refuse union representation.” Recently, however, REI CEO Eric Artz said on a podcast that REI isn’t against unions but went on to say that it’s not “the right thing for our employees.”

The Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (New York) will represent the store and its 116 workers after the election is certified by the National Labor Relations Board.

Claire Chang, an employee of the New York REI store and part of the store’s union organizing committee, says, “I am proud to be here in this moment with my co-workers at REI SoHo as a part of this new wave of unionization efforts that is sweeping the nation.”

Some Starbucks (Seattle) stores have formed unions in recent months, including some stores in New York and Mesa, Ariz.

Related Topics:rei specialty non-apparel

VMSD Staff

Drawing on more than 125 years of history serving the retail design market, VMSD magazine provides retail professionals with the most up-to-date, innovative retail design ideas and industry news through its industry-leading magazine, website, social media channels and bulletins.

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