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To: REI Co-Op Board Members & Interim CEO

We Are Worth a Living Wage!

We are the customer-facing Green Vests who power REI stores all over the country. We love our jobs because working with outdoor lovers makes for one inspired work culture. The only thing is, too many of us are struggling to make ends meet, and in some cases are only a paycheck away from going homeless. So you can imagine how we felt when Amazon increased its starting wage company-wide to $15/hr, and that Target has committed to doing the same by 2020. If they can make a $15 Living Wage investment in their hourly workers, it’s time that REI do the same for us.

Why is this important?

REI has a rich history of being a cooperative that has cared about its employees and authentically values them. Up until about 15 years ago this was true, but in recent years REI's leadership has been adopting the corporate practices similar to other large-scale retailers, and we’ve been facing hardships we never thought were possible at our beloved co-op.

We’re witnessing an all-time high in employee turnover. For those of us who have been at the co-op for a longtime, it is alarming. There used to be a time when this was a rarity at REI. Moreover, what has historically distinguished our co-op from other retailers is the unparalleled knowledge of the staff who power the stores. When we lose our coworkers due to low pay and too-few hours — it effects our customers’ experience, our phenomenal work culture, and inevitably, it will impact our bottom line.

We’re asking REI Board Members and Interim CEO to follow the lead of other retailers, by adopting a $15 Living Wage for all the green vests who make REI the great place that it is to shop. We’re also asking that they guarantee all of us enough hours and more full-time opportunities, because without hours, a Living Wage will make no difference. Essentially, we’re asking that our leadership live up to the REI Co-op’s image, and be the champion for hourly retail employees we know it wants to be.

Sharing our expertise to help you live a life outside is the best part of our jobs, and now we’re asking for your help to live a life well lived. Join us in asking the REI Co-op to do better for all of its employees — especially the customer-facing Green Vests and hourly Distribution Workers who have it rough too. #WeAreWorthIt!

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Updates

2018-10-11 08:47:05 -0400

5,000 signatures reached

2018-03-07 09:51:48 -0500

In a time when companies are giving back to employees, the REI Co-op has elected to take away. Starting this month, hourly retail workers will be earning less than they expected for 2018. In February, annual merit reviews were given. Each employee was evaluated and placed into one of three performance categories: developing, solid contributor and leading performer. In previous years, hourly wages were increased by 1.5%, 3%, and 6% respectively for each tier. This year the percents were cut to .5%, 2.5% and 5%. Many employees are angered about these pay raise cuts. We have confirmed the news and the cuts are storewide.

2017-11-11 10:35:05 -0500

1,000 signatures reached

2017-11-10 08:48:13 -0500

500 signatures reached

2017-11-06 16:16:13 -0500

REI employees created this video spot to generate support for a Living Wage increase at the REI Co-op. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=veLbtDg99dU

2017-10-03 12:26:58 -0400

100 signatures reached

2017-10-03 11:32:32 -0400

50 signatures reached

2017-10-03 11:13:50 -0400

25 signatures reached

2017-10-03 11:09:22 -0400

10 signatures reached