Deb WolfeJul 8, 2023
Russ

If you're an REI member who's not a fan of union busting, please let [email protected] know that when next year's board of director elections are happening, you'll be voting accordingly.

(Also, please boost)

https://www.npr.org/2023/07/06/1186006322/rei-union-busting-allegations

#rei #union #solidarity

Jul 7, 2023 at 7:48pmWeb
Show threadLosfromcpJul 8, 2023
@theruss If they consider themselves a co-op, then unionization shouldn't be much of an issue.
Show threadThatKomputerKat Jul 8, 2023
@theruss @qlp it’s always funny to watch a company that doesn’t sell anything you can’t get an equivalent to somewhere else light their image and reputation on fire when it’s what brings their customers in.
Show threadRussJul 8, 2023

@thatKomputerKat @qlp

If we show up in large numbers, they'll wise up.

Show thread0ddj0bbJul 8, 2023

@theruss negotiating with a union would hinder the company's ability to "resolve concerns at the speed the world is moving,"

Translated "we need to exploit people in order to survive as a company. Unions aren't fair"

""However, we do not feel a union is necessary for our employees, "

Um Sorry REI, but YOU don't get to determine if the WORKERS unionize. By Law. If you don't feel unions are necessary because your company is so great, you have nothing to fear then,.

Show threadPhokalJul 8, 2023
@theruss done and done
Show threadoracJul 8, 2023

@theruss

Is there a slate of pro-union people running for the board?

It would be great to have good people to vote for, rather than just voting against the baddies.

Show threadSteven ZekowskiJul 9, 2023
@orac @theruss
I have almost the same question. Are there union-supporting board candidates? Do you know who they are/will be ?
Show threadRussJul 9, 2023

@steve_zeke @orac

I think things are currently structured for an up-or-down vote starting next March. This year, it sounds like the organizers recommended voting "no" on all three candidates. Next March, let's check in to see what the union recommends.

Show threadoracJul 8, 2023

@theruss

Also, I've always ignored the corporate governance stuff from REI. When is the upcoming vote, and how do REI members participate?

Show threadsmolwaffleJul 8, 2023

@orac
It's annual, next one should be next May. You vote on the website.

And my understanding is that the board selects all candidates who can be "elected", so there's no way that pro-union candidates will even be available to vote for. REI is not much of a co-op as members have no real control over its governance. Votes are "yes" or "withhold" for each candidate put forth by the board.
@theruss

Show threadsmolwaffleJul 8, 2023
@orac
I'd love to get a newsletter or something for REI union supporters or something like that which gives me information on how to support in ways like that. I'll never cross a picket line, but if an email or voting campaign would help that's something I can do that's an action rather than avoiding an action.
@theruss
Show threadRussJul 8, 2023

@smolwaffle @orac

Yeah, the push this year (which I missed out on) was to vote WITHHOLD on everyone:

https://twitter.com/REIemployees/status/1500535428570435584

I believe the mailing list is over here: https://www.ourrei.com/ https://actionnetwork.org/forms/get-updates-from-rei-union/

Though I'd obviously prefer to find them on Mastodon.

REIGreenVests on Twitter

“REI kicks off its annual Board of Directors Election tomorrow and we're urging every #reimember and #reigreenvest to cast a WITHHOLD VOTE for all of the nominees on the ballot. https://t.co/P2qOKIoOFt”

Twitter
Show threaddraNgNonJul 8, 2023
@theruss i am still confused by this. are they not a coop then?
Show threadmerpthebirbJul 8, 2023
@theruss well that’s disappointing, guess I’m writing emails this weekend.
Show threadJames R.B. EastwoodJul 8, 2023
@theruss I wrote to the board, but the reality of the organization is that the board is heavily insulated from the will of the membership. Board elections consist of an up/down vote on each candidate in a slate that has been pre-approved by the board, and any positions unfilled (because membership voted them down) are filled on a one-year basis by the board.
Show threadRussJul 9, 2023

@jrbe Yeah, and they're on three-year terms, so notionally we couldn't clean house in one election anyways.

This is a first step, not a last step. We email now, we vote in March, and if they don't smarten up after that, it may come to boycotts and picket lines.

Show threadJames R.B. EastwoodJul 9, 2023
@theruss to be effective as a member movement, we would really need to identify and push for a slate of pro-union board members for next spring's election. I have no idea how to organize this, but if you hear of anyone working on it, you can put them in contact with me.
Show threadEdgeJul 8, 2023
@theruss @KayJanes when will the vote be, and I’ll put it on my calendar.
Show threadRussJul 9, 2023

@czarbucks @KayJanes

This year it was in March, so probably around then next year.

Show threadArt Nouveau AppreciatorJul 8, 2023
@theruss @josh I just did my part!
Show threadRussJul 9, 2023

@Jetengineweasel @josh

Thank you!