REI (BELLINGHAM)
BARGAINING BEGINS

Our first bargaining session on Tuesday, November 14, is the start of a long fight. Our introductory session included our Bargaining Team, some of our REI Bellingham coworkers as observers, and REI’s legal counsel at the table. Our initial proposals focused on union security to ensure we keep the union we’ve won and representation language (including union access, bulletin boards, meeting spaces, and stewards). From REI’s counterproposals, it is clear that we have a long way to go to finding agreement.

Our Bargaining Team discussed the recent changes head on and questioned the Employer’s decision to make unilateral changes to working conditions. We will continue that conversation as we bargain over the effects of the changes, continue our Unfair Labor Practice charges against REI, and work together with the REI members across the country who are also dealing with these issues while bargaining their first contracts.

We are looking forward to our next session on December 12. If you’re interested in joining virtually, please contact Union Rep Dominick Ojeda @ (206) 436-6586.

"Our first day felt really shallow, but it was nice to finally meet and put faces to the names. Feels like the beginning of a long relationship." —Tini Alexander, Bargaining Team member

Our REI Bargaining Team (L—R): Tini Alexander, Sue Cottrell, Sharon Martinez, Alex Pollitt, Johnny Cooke (not pictured)