REI position on employee unionization.

Did a quick search and didn’t see that this had been brought up before. High proportion of this group shops at REI, so this might be something people are interested in.

httpsw://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-11-15/rei-s-progressive-branding-tested-by-employee-union?utm_source=website&utm_medium=share&utm_campaign=copy

It seems Bloomberg doesn't want to be linked. URL not working, not even when copy/pasted to browser. Interested in reading it but not so much that I'll pay Bloomberg for the priv.

post edit: I googled it and got a better link, but still paywalled. They dangled a $0.99/month offer in front of me and I thought, for 99 cents hell yeah. So I clicked the button to see the real price: $200+ for list price subscription for a year, $129/year including 3-months at 99 cents each. I bailed. Oh well, that's the life of a cheapskate. Correction, that's the life of an ignorant... cheapskate!

Cherokee Nunes wrote:

It seems Bloomberg doesn't want to be linked. URL not working, not even when copy/pasted to browser. Interested in reading it but not so much that I'll pay Bloomberg for the priv.

post edit: I googled it and got a better link, but still paywalled. They dangled a $0.99/month offer in front of me and I thought, for 99 cents hell yeah. So I clicked the button to see the real price: $200+ for list price subscription for a year, $129/year including 3-months at 99 cents each. I bailed. Oh well, that's the life of a cheapskate. Correction, that's the life of an ignorant... cheapskate!

Same vibe, although the Bloomberg story has some good lines from internal company meetings:

https://www.reuters.com/business/retail-consumer/rei-accused-widespread-labor-law-violations-unionized-us-stores-2023-11-15/

Now Reuters I can read, thanks!

I say, GO UNIONS! Brings the mega-brands to heel. Will prices go up? Yes, and they should. This can perhaps slightly re-level, or at least lessen the tilt, to return favor to local shops and smaller ecom companies. Yes I am an REI member.

Alec O wrote:

Did a quick search and didn’t see that this had been brought up before. High proportion of this group shops at REI, so this might be something people are interested in.

httpsw://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-11-15/rei-s-progressive-branding-tested-by-employee-union?utm_source=website&utm_medium=share&utm_campaign=copy

The Bloomberg story is available non-paywalled here:

https://archive.li/fcPnr

Interesting! TFPU!

Alec O wrote:

Did a quick search and didn’t see that this had been brought up before. High proportion of this group shops at REI, so this might be something people are interested in.

httpsw://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-11-15/rei-s-progressive-branding-tested-by-employee-union?utm_source=website&utm_medium=share&utm_campaign=copy

How bad could the working conditions at REI be? It’s not a meat packing plant. Don’t like your retail job? Quit.

Tradiban wrote:

How bad could the working conditions at REI be? It’s not a meat packing plant. Don’t like your retail job? Quit.

Some people like to improve things for themselves and others where they are, instead of just leaving for “greener pastures”.

Kinda with @Tradiban on this issue. REI really does not need a bevy of full time employees and if the wages for the few go up significantly it will cut back on excellent part time gigs for students and seniors (willing to impart and seniorsplain all their outdoor wisdom, like me). 

Ben Podborski wrote:

Some people like to improve things for themselves and others where they are, instead of just leaving for “greener pastures”.

Retail jobs require very little “marketable skills” and thus leverage is very low. These are mostly transitional jobs that are meant to be fluid.

Unionization of low skill jobs disrupts the free market system and disincentives economic and educational advancement.

These are mostly transitional jobs that are meant to be fluid.

So says the employer. As with restaurant workers, we the people are in the process of informing those employers their definition is laughably self-serving, They use "jobs are meant to be" as if ordained by Adam Smith, if not god herself. No. Jobs are what we make them. We are telling employers that sub-livable wage jobs are not acceptable. Transition that you fuckers!

Cherokee Nunes wrote:

We are telling employers that sub-livable wage jobs are not acceptable. Transition that you fuckers!

Does "living wage" apply to part-time jobs? How much is a living wage?

FrankPS wrote:

Does "living wage" apply to part-time jobs? How much is a living wage?

Proportionally to the time worked yes.

Depends on the cost of living in the area. Every employee who wants it deserves collective bargaining.

Don’t forget to thank organized labor if you enjoy having weekends, not being forced into the workforce at 9 years old or the existence of a middle class in this country. 

nowhere wrote:

Proportionally to the time worked yes.

Depends on the cost of living in the area. Every employee who wants it deserves collective bargaining.

Don’t forget to thank organized labor if you enjoy having weekends, not being forced into the workforce at 9 years old or the existence of a middle class in this country. 

I think all that’s true but somewhere along the way Unions got greedy and became an increasingly negative force in economics and the job market, holding on to old ideals and refusing to adapt to the new economic reality.

nowhere wrote:

.

Don’t forget to thank organized labor if you enjoy having weekends, not being forced into the workforce at 9 years old . 

I thought child labor laws were the result of federal labor laws, not unions?

What would be a living wage in your specific area?

Reasons why unions are important:

https://home.treasury.gov/news/featured-stories/labor-unions-and-the-us-economy

Reasons why unions suck:

https://www.justice.gov/criminal/criminal-vcrs/infiltrated-labor-unions

having worked in several very large union and non-union shops, both of the above are absolutely true. 

Tradiban wrote:

I think all that’s true but somewhere along the way Unions got greedy and became an increasingly negative force in economics and the job market, holding on to old ideals and refusing to adapt to the new economic reality.

LOL and businesses aren't greedy?

President of REI made $4.5 million in 2021, see page 6. Almost $10 million in three years. I'm guessing he only has one house, and offsets his carbon too.

https://www.rei.com/assets/about-rei/executive-compensation/2022-cda-for-2021-results/live.pdf

FrankPS wrote:

I thought child labor laws were the result of federal labor laws, not unions?

What would be a living wage in your specific area?

When your parents make more money, you, as a child don't have to make money for the family to exist.

Without wealthy parents, Rent, 120k, Own +300k. Average single family home north of $1 million.

I rent 400sf for $650.

Tradiban wrote:

I think all that’s true but somewhere along the way Unions got greedy and became an increasingly negative force in economics and the job market, holding on to old ideals and refusing to adapt to the new economic reality.

Yes. How greedy of the unions to continue to want a seat at the table. Union membership has gone from 30+% in 1945 to right around 10% today. It makes it pretty much impossible for workers to be accurately represented in the economy.

curt86iroc wrote:

Reasons why unions are important:

https://home.treasury.gov/news/featured-stories/labor-unions-and-the-us-economy

Reasons why unions suck:

https://www.justice.gov/criminal/criminal-vcrs/infiltrated-labor-unions

having worked in several very large union and non-union shops, both of the above are absolutely true. 

As a non-union tradesman I couldn't agree with you more. 

Tradiban wrote:

I think all that’s true but somewhere along the way Unions got greedy and became an increasingly negative force in economics and the job market, holding on to old ideals and refusing to adapt to the new economic reality.

Ah yes, the unions got so greedy that they decided they deserved 300x the median wages at their firm. Oh no wait, that was the CEOs.