The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued a decision in OSHA Complaint No. 2240262, made by technicians in the REI SoHo bike and ski shop on December 5, 2024. All eight workers employed in the REI SoHo bike and ski shop have been out on a health and safety strike since December 4, 2024, after REI removed personal protective equipment previously supplied by the company from the bike and ski shop without providing any evidence to support their assertion that the work environment is safe to perform ski work in without respirators. OSHA has shockingly determined that the evidence provided by REI is sufficient and does not warrant further investigation by the agency. The RWDSU will be contesting this decision and joins with the New York Committee for Occupational Safety & Health (NYCOSH) in calling for a new air quality test to be performed by a qualified industrial hygienist testing for the three chemicals used during ski tune work – metal grip, emulsion, and low density polyethylene. 

Members of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU) gathered on zoom to share stories of past holiday seasons and issues they face heading into one of the busiest times of the year in the industry. Workers came together just ahead of Black Friday and Cyber Monday to highlight the unique pressures they face and call on the public to be kind and understanding.

In the midst of REI’s Labor Day weekend sale, REI Chicago workers stopped work and walked off the job in an Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) strike to protest REI’s failure to bargain over recent changes to scheduling and availability policies, as well as their failure to bargain a union contract in good faith. Notably, the REI Chicago Lincoln Park store is currently understaffed, putting undue burden on workers during a busy sale weekend. Workers rallied and picketed outside the store with their allies, demanding that REI come back to the table to bargain over the recent restructuring changes and reach a first union contract by the end of the year.

During the middle of REI’s annual Anniversary Sale, members of REI Union SoHo, represented by the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU), stopped work and walked off the job in an Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) strike to protest REI’s failure to bargain a contract in good faith. REI SoHo workers picketed and demanded REI agree to reach a fair contract by the end of 2024. Photos and videos from the strike are available for media use here.