Call for REI boycott May 15-26, 2026

News to me!

It annoys me when a gear reviewer makes claims about a product they are reviewing without substantiating them with evidence.

Same with this situation, it seems.

There are serious issues here that deserve scrutiny: REI’s labor negotiations, union concerns, employee benefits, board governance, supply-chain accountability, and the credibility of the co-op model itself. Those are fair topics for public criticism. But the union’s criticism gets harder to evaluate when its advocacy language outruns the evidence.

Some claims (as per the official union press page, press release, social posts about the boycott) appear well supported: REI did declare impasse. Benefit and compensation changes have been reported. Union workers did call for a boycott. REI’s board-election process has raised legitimate questions. Reports about worker concerns and supply-chain labor issues deserve attention.

But other claims are presented in ways that casual readers, social media scrollers, or uninformed co-op members may interpret as established facts when they appear to be allegations, interpretations, or rhetoric. “She lied” is a claim about intent. “It wasn’t about money” is a claim about motive. “Illegally implementing” is a legal conclusion unless and until it is adjudicated. “Hundreds of thousands” appears inflated unless the union can substantiate that number. Claims about AI being the “fastest growing source” of greenhouse gas emissions, lawyers being paid “over a thousand dollars an hour,” or benefit changes leaving “hundreds” uninsured – these are classic signatures of hyperbolic rhetoric.

A lot of this reads like aggressive rhetoric designed to build public support. Maybe that is how advocacy campaigns operate now. Maybe the union believes it has to communicate this way to get attention. But I do not think it helps Co-Op members evaluate what is actually happening.

As a co-op member, it does appear to me that REI has made decisions that are inconsistent with, or at least confusing in light of, its co-op identity. That confusion is made worse by insufficient transparency. Workers and members have legitimate reasons to question those decisions. Some of REI’s actions are being challenged as unlawful or anti-union, and those claims are difficult for members to evaluate when REI does not clearly explain its position, its rationale, or its intent.

But exaggeration, aggressive rhetoric, and unverifiable accusations are not helpful. They create more noise in an already noisy information environment.

If we expect gear reviewers to support performance claims with field data, test methods, and clear disclosure, should we not expect advocacy campaigns to support institutional claims with the same level of care? Otherwise, we are not evaluating facts. We are just choosing which narrative feels better.

I wish REI were more transparent about what is happening inside the co-op, what its specific positions are regarding unionization and contract negotiations, and why it is taking those positions.

And I wish the REI union would rely more heavily on evidence that specifically addresses the actual negotiations, contract issues, legal claims, and worker impacts, rather than rhetoric and hyperbole that most members cannot fairly evaluate.

Ryan, I couldn’t agree more…Well said!

Personally, I have such mixed feelings about REI, I could barely care less about some ongoing union dispute… I don’t feel like the “Membership” status carries much weight, when the 30-dollar lifetime membership fee is compensated with a 30-dollar coupon, and no other reason to engage…

We have an REI, and a private-owned gear shop locally. The only “Pros” going for REI are the “re-supply” area, and the slightly later hours. Otherwise, I choose the local shop 10/10 times. I think my purchases reflect that too…

Will I boycott them? Nah.

Will I buy from them during their sale? Only if there’s something I can’t get elsewhere, and at this point, I kinda doubt it…

I can sympathize with the employees, but they’re really just retail sales workers and you don’t have much leverage with that kind of job title. Calling for a boycott seems almost vindictive or as if they’re trying to cut off their nose to spite their face. The job market is all about supply and demand and if you’re doing something that requires no special skills or education then don’t be surprised if you are treated poorly…you’re easily replaceable. It’s the sad truth. And please don’t try to tell me that REI salespeople have this vast knowledge of backpacking and gear. A few do but most are beginner level yet come off like experts. There are some exceptions though.