Are you an REI member? The 2024 Board of Directors election is on NOW (March 4 - May 1). REI staff are urging co-op members to cast a 'Withhold' vote for ALL Board nominees.  You can vote at www.REI.com/board-vote

Here are a few of the reasons why staff ask you to vote Withhold (see the REIgreenvest Instagram post for more): 

“Annual elections are not democratic. They are a facade; a sham. The Board selects each nominee and they all run unopposed to ensure they'll serve as directors. 

Since 2004, the BOD has been modifying the bylaws without members' knowledge in order to give themselves absolute power and control over our co-op. As a result, they act and make decisions without any oversight or transparency placing the health of our co-op at great risk. 

Last October, members petitioned to have 2 measures placed on this year's ballot to see if they could get measures on the ballot for a popular vote. Both were rejected by the BOD and both are common practices for co-ops. 

Behind 'closed doors' our Board members don't support workers' right to unionize. They've gone so far as to hire Morgan Lewis, one of the most notoriously aggressive union-busting law firms, as a means to prevent more employees from unionizing. This investment is costing our co-op millions and millions of $$$$. 

Our Board has refused to bargain in good faith with workers. The first employees to unionize have been waiting for over 2 years for REI to negotiate a contract. Two years!!! 

Our BOD supports an anti-workers' rights crusade led by Elon Musk's SpaceX, which filed a lawsuit that challenges the constitutionality of the NLRB. Trader Joe's and Amazon have both made headlines for echoing similar claims in legal documents since this lawsuit was filed. What these companies have in common — they're all vehemently anti-union and the law firm representing them is Morgan Lewis.

It is imperative that democratic member control is restored at our co-op. The only means of achieving this is for members to cast WITHHOLD votes for all Board nominees in order to force change. Vote 'WITHHOLD!" Let's stand united in sending a loud and clear message to REl's Board that we're stronger together and REl Co-op members demand real change.”

Cast a 'Withhold' vote for ALL Board nominees at www.REI.com/board-vote

And of course, share this petition with more of your friends. www.change.org/p/stop-illegal-union-busting-at-rei 

Thanks for your support!