Community Rally Planned in Support of REI Workers Ahead of Union Election
REI workers, union members, labor leaders, elected officials, and community supporters will gather in Kearny Mesa on Tuesday, May 26 to stand with REI Green Vests as they prepare for a historic union election at the San Diego store.
The rally will take place at 1:00 p.m. outside REI, located at 5556 Copley Drive in Kearny Mesa, one day before workers begin voting in a National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) election to determine whether they will join UFCW Local 135.
More than 100 REI workers are expected to vote in the May 27–28 election. If successful, the San Diego location would become the third unionized REI store in California, the 12th in the nation, and the largest unionized REI location in the country.
The rally is being held to highlight the upcoming election and celebrate the organizing effort led by workers at the store, who are seeking fair pay, sustainable scheduling, stronger workplace protections, and a real voice on the job.
Attendees will hear directly from REI workers about their experiences and why they chose to organize. UFCW Local 135 President Todd Walters will emcee the event, joined by San Diego & Imperial Counties Labor Council President Brigette Browning and San Diego City Councilmember Kent Lee, whose district includes the Kearny Mesa REI location.
The San Diego campaign is part of a growing national movement of REI workers organizing for better workplace conditions and a stronger voice on the job. Since 2022, workers at 11 REI stores nationwide have voted to unionize, including locations in California, New York, Illinois, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Washington, Minnesota, Indiana, and Ohio.