10 • March 17, 2022 - March 23, 2022
THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS
Union Matters
REI SoHo workers vote to join RWDSU
By STEPHON JOHNSON Amsterdam News Staff
Workers at a Seattle-based retail in lower Manhattan successfully voted to unionize. Earlier this month, the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU), announced that 86% (88 out of 102) of workers at the REI Co-Op at Lafayette Street in Manhattan voted to join the RWDSU, making the location the first unionized REI store in the country. “History was made today! We’re excited to welcome the workers of REI SoHo into
the RWDSU, marking the first-ever unionized REI store in the whole country,” stated RWDSU President Stuart Appelbaum. “These workers have vast expertise in their field and have worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic to serve the outdoor community. They have stuck together through a horrendous union-busting campaign and have come out the other side stronger. “The workers of REI SoHo are ready to negotiate a strong contract that will allow them to uphold the co-op’s progressive values while providing the top-notch service REI customers have come to expect. With a seat at
REI workers seize their moment Stuart Appelbaum President, Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union, Twitter: @sappelbaum. www.rwdsu.org
Workers at the REI outdoor sports retail store in Soho have joined the RWDSU, becoming part of a national movement of workers standing up for themselves and demanding a voice at work. Starbucks employees, workers in the tech, new media, and video game industries, and employees at Amazon facilities— all are seizing this moment to improve their jobs and their lives through union membership. Last fall, we saw the “Striketober” wave, where more than 100,000 American workers participated in or prepared for strikes as workers’ leverage increased during the ongoing pandemic. We are seeing this increased activism because workers are demanding better, and declaring that they are worth more than corporate behemoths have been giving them. Low wages and poor treatment have spurred on the “Great Resignation,” which has caused a labor shortage as working people have stood up and said they’ve had enough. The 116 retail workers at the REI store in Soho demanded better. They knew that joining the RWDSU could help them deal with workplace issues including pay, a one-year wait for health insurance, scheduling problems, and understaffing. Like so many other working people, they stood up and demanded change at their jobs. However, like so many other working people, they faced an employer willing to do anything to stop their campaign, rather than addressing their concerns and creating a better workplace. REI touts itself as a “progressive employer” who closes its stores on Black Friday, invests in outdoors
organizations, and above all, puts “purpose above profits.” However, when the workers’ started their union organizing campaign, REI, which claims to be a “different kind of company,” started behaving much like many other companies who have gone to great lengths to crush workers’ union campaigns, including behemoths such as Amazon and Wal-Mart. REI hired union-busting lawyer “consultants” to design and execute a classic union-busting campaign. They halted promotion opportunities for workers and held lengthy mandatory meetings where they spread misinformation about the union. And, in a unique, unprecedented new flourish, REI management produced a 25-minute antiunion podcast. It was all designed to intimidate and frighten workers. We saw a similar situation in New York last year, when “progressive” employer Housing Works, a nonprofit employing more than 600 new RWDSU members in NYC, engaged in the same kind of unionbusting tactics. Fortunately, workers at both REI and Housing Works saw through the lies and misinformation, and with the aid of RWDSU organizers, were prepared for the union-busting onslaught. But the fact that these companies—espousing progressive values in progressive NYC—thought they could behave this way is frustrating, troubling, and outrageous. Workers in America are waking up to the fact they deserve better. And unions such as the RWDSU are fighting to help their voices be heard. But as long as employers feel comfortable lying to employees and intimidating them, it’s going to be an uphill battle for too many workers. We all need to speak out against union-busting dirty tricks, and we need to support these workers as they fight for better jobs and better lives. This is their moment, and with our help, it can grow into a flourishing movement.
the table, workers can REI SoHo workers celebrate the vote to join the RWDSU. (Photo make working at REI courtesy of Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU)) safe and sustainable for years to come.” Workers said that REI engaged in a union-busting campaign using similar tactics that Amazon used against its workers in Bessemer, Alabama: captive audience meetings, putting the kibosh on promotional opportunities, and upped the ante by making workers listen to a 25-minute wave of unionization efforts that is sweeping union busting podcast. the nation,” stated Claire Chang, member of In a statement, REI officials noted the 14 the REI SoHo Organizing Committee and workers who voted against forming a union. retail sales specialist-visual at REI SoHo. “As “As we have said throughout this process, members of the RWDSU, we know we will be REI firmly believes that the decision of wheth- able to harness our collective strength to advoer or not to be represented by a union is an cate for a more equitable, safe, and enriching important one, and we respect each employ- work environment. A union is necessary for ee’s right to choose or refuse union represen- many of us to achieve more stability and setation,” read REI’s statement. “We are, at our curity in our lives which could allow for us to core, cooperative. Our employees are the heart explore and play more outside of work! of the co-op community, and their expertise, “As green vests, we believe ‘a life outdoors enthusiasm, and joy in helping people get out- is a life well lived’ and in order for that to be side make us who we are. We greatly appre- viable and accessible to us, we need to be at ciate their hard work and dedication through the bargaining table alongside REI leadership what continues to be a remarkably challeng- to work out a collective bargaining agreement ing time in the world.” that works for us,” continued Chang. “Hence, REI is a co-op like operation. Customers are we’re hopeful that REI meets us in good faith pushed to memberships to receive perks and during negotiations for our first contract, while discounts like other retailers. keeping our co-op values in mind and apply“I am proud to be here in this moment with ing them to workers, so we can all demonmy coworkers at REI SoHo as a part of this new strate that we really do go further…together!”
Nonprofit workers rally for ‘fair’ wages at City Hall By STEPHON JOHNSON Amsterdam News Staff Nonprofit workers in New York City took their grievances to City Hall last week, calling for fair wages and benefits. Earlier this month, over one thousand workers (including employees at food pantries, foster care agencies and domestic violence shelters) rallied in lower Manhattan making the next push in their “Just Pay” campaign to serve nonprofit workers the way they believe to be served. “We need to ensure our human service workers are at the forefront of all of our conversations about worker justice,” stated Councilmember Carmen De La Rosa, chair of the Committee on Labor. “Our human service professionals are the backbone of our afterschool programs, city agencies, community-based organizations, and our schools. They deserve a living wage, a true
cost of living adjustment, and a comprehensive wage and benefit schedule.” According to the group, 8 out of 10 human service workers in the five boroughs are people of color and 60% of them qualify for one form of government assistance if not multiple. “New Yorkers depend on the tireless efforts of human services workers each day, and it is time for the city to pay these workers what they’re worth,” Michelle Jackson, executive director of the Human Services Council, stated. “If the City Council and Mayor Adams truly value their work, they must dedicate resources to ensure these New Yorkers can afford to live in the communities they serve. Human services workers have been essential during the pandemic and they will remain so as our city strives to recover from the ongoing economic, medical and social impacts of COVID-19.” See WAGES on page 27
