REI union asks for boycott of Denver flagship store

A union representing REI employees is urging customers to boycott the outdoor retailer's anniversary sale this week, including at its Denver flagship store.

Why it matters: The sale — running now through May 25 — is one of REI's biggest of the year and draws large crowds.

State of play: The boycott comes after the co-op and its union failed to reach a contract agreement last month, with the union calling management's latest offer "unacceptable."

• The union is imploring shoppers to skip the sale in solidarity after "four years of bad faith contract negotiations and REI's scorched-earth union-busting campaign."

Eleven REI stores nationwide have unionized since 2022.

• Those stores are located in Chicago; Boston; New York; Berkeley and Santa Cruz, California; Cleveland, Ohio; Durham and Greensboro, North Carolina; Maple Grove, Minnesota; Castleton, Indiana; and Bellingham, Washington.
• A 12th store recently filed to unionize in San Diego.

Yes, but: Demonstrations backing the boycott are happening at non-union stores, such as those in Colorado, UFCW 3000 spokesperson Rich Smith tells Axios.

• A lone organizer stood outside the flagship store on Platte Street on Tuesday handing out leaflets to customers, most of whom hadn't known about the boycott and ignored it.

Between the lines: The union says REI's latest proposal would restrict organizing activity at other stores and limit workers' public criticism of the company.

• The outdoor co-op, founded in Seattle and with more than 190 U.S. stores, is losing its soul, union workers say.
• The unionized stores want better pay, scheduling and working conditions.

The other side: REI says the union has taken bargaining discussions out of context.

• In a written statement this month, the company called the boycott push "a disappointing move" that hurts the co-op "instead of advancing negotiations."
• REI also said it is "ready to continue bargaining."