After the largest Co-op member uprising in REI’s history, REI’s new CEO, Mary Beth Laughton, “promised to return the Co-op to its roots.”
She lied.
That’s why REI Union workers and Co-op members are voting to boycott REI during their 2026 Anniversary Sale. Union workers voted overwhelmingly to approve this boycott.
The blurb in the post is doing the union dirty because it cuts off one sentence too soon.
After the largest Co-op member uprising in REI’s history, REI’s new CEO, Mary Beth Laughton, “promised to return the Co-op to its roots.”
She lied.
I was thinking the context of the boycott in the title implied an issue with her promise. I added more from the announcement to the post.
REI continues to confuse me, they had such a good thing going and they seem intent on ruining it. I really don’t understand it. What could possibly be the benefit of running a co-op this way? Do they think they’re going be able to un co-op it and people are still going to shop there?
Customer co-op memberships are probably the least likely to organize or collectively do anything unless it means cheaper prices. The union is doing the right thing here it seems.
So… Would employees less likely care if people were pocketing items? The only thing better than a boycott is peaceful looting.
