On December 4th, mechanics at the Manhattan branch of the recreational retailer REI went on strike following the removal of their personal protective equipment (PPE). Earlier in October, REI instituted a policy nationally that arbitrarily stated PPE was not necessary and would no longer provide it for their workers. However, striking workers detailed how they have to conduct repairs on recreational equipment, such as skis, which involves burning plastic that spews noxious fumes into the air, creating a haze inside their working area two floors below the retail store.
On December 17, nearly two weeks since the strike began, volunteers with The Worker interviewed REI workers on the picket line in Manhattan.
Tell our readers why you are on strike.
[After telling The Worker volunteers about REI’s new policy removing PPE, which is summarized above, a striking worker told the volunteers about the aftermath of this policy].
We are unionized, we unionized in February 2022, we have been in contract negotiations since June 2022, and we still do not have a contract. They are using the lawyer that represents… Morgan Lewis, they represent Amazon. They are working with Elon Musk to invalidate the National Labor Relations Act. They’re basically trying to destroy the NLRB. That’s who REI has representing them. So it’s like the worst kind of law firm used by a member-owned co-op which supports “progressive” policies—which does actually provide bits of funding for local-level organizations that are engaging with low-income communities to get people outdoors engaged in cycling—that’s all great. Why would that kind of co-op be in bed with that kind of a law firm and then turn around and do this to workers?… We need members to sort of say, “whoa, this is not our co-op. What the hell are you doing, Eric Artz”—he’s the CEO. The more people who call him out and say, “hey, Eric Artz, what are you doing?”—that’s where I am.
Are all of the workers at this store on strike or just the mechanics?
We are the shop workers. So the rest of the bargaining unit is working because the nature of the ULP [unfair labor practice] that was filed was so specific to the shop, it makes it very difficult for the rest of the people to be covered by that ULP…. The first day we went on strike, they had a lot of people with us, and we shut down the store. But that was going to be very difficult to sustain because this ULP is so specific to the shop.
A lot of people, especially at smaller businesses, are afraid to go on strike because they’ll say they’ll all get fired. Given that this strike is only at one store, what is your response to that?
If you are unionized, no. You can be two people, and it’s a protected activity. The more, the better. But, there are eight of us. We’ve shut down the shop. There’s very little work being done in there except for by the manager and scabs. They’ve brought people in from a couple other stores to do some work….
We’ve had over 6,200 people send letters that go to managers. We also have a hardship fund. About $5,600 sent in donations so far. We’re encouraging people to spread it far and wide. But really, the more people that voice their opinions—and I’m really encouraging people who are members to speak out as members.
You all are the first REI to unionize, back in 2022. Now there are about 10 REIs unionized across the country. How has your unionization helped develop this?
We are the ones that made the rest of it happen, no question about it. We are the ones who have been hurt the most as well. They immediately rolled out some benefits for workers in response to us unionizing. Literally the day after our vote, which was 88-14 in favor, for the whole store. The day after, REI corporate announced that they were going to put out this whole package of stuff for workers. The day after. So if the vote had gone the other way, no fucking way that would’ve happened. So they’re hurting us more than anybody else.
Amazon workers have authorized a strike here in NYC. Do you have any thoughts on how these strikes could support each other?
Yes, in fact one of their people was here just the other day. We’re part of a broader union, the RWDSU, which is a subsidiary of UFCW. Certainly those unions are going to be talking to each other in solidarity and support. But if the question is with regard to joint action, absolutely, our people would be down for that.
What do you see as the conclusion to this?
The only conclusion is that they either give up and restore the respirators, or OSHA comes in and restores the respirators. But, in the meantime, we’re all probably filing for unemployment tomorrow, because you can while you’re on strike. Because what are you going to do? You have to pay your bills.
Is there any final statement you would like to give to our readers?
Spread it far and wide, the more people who care about these issues and speak out about it, the better.
We recommend our readers support the campaign of the striking workers by donating to their strike fund here.
Photo: Shop workers at REI’s flagship Manhattan store picket the building.
