On Feb. 9, workers at the REI store in Castleton, Ind., voted to join UFCW Local 700 to build a better future for themselves and their co-workers. The REI Castleton workers’ successful unionization push comes on the heels of a growing unionization movement at REI, and this is the ninth location nationwide to unionize with the UFCW/RWDSU.
“I came to REI because I wanted a community of like-minded people who cared about something bigger than themselves,” said Celina Pfarr (she/they), who works at the Castleton store. “I was proud to stand alongside my co-workers and vote ‘yes’ today for a say in our future and to join the growing REI union movement. It has been a tough journey, but also really amazing to build real friendships with my co-workers, both new and tenured, and to see our hard work culminate in this exciting moment. We finally did it!”
This organizing win comes just days after a rally attended by Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett, State Senator Fady Qaddoura, and multiple community groups calling on REI to recognize the union and uphold its mission to have a positive impact on employees, members, and society. A video and photos of the rally are available here.
UFCW Local 700’s organizing win is a part of the national REI campaign, and follows the successful unionization efforts at REI stores in SoHo, Berkeley, Cleveland, Chicago, Boston, Durham, Bellingham and Maple Grove.