Take Action: REI SoHo Ski Shop Workers in 4th Week of ULP Strike

REI SoHo ski shop workers unionized with the RWDSU walked off the job on a ULP strike on Wed, Dec 4, and have been out on the picket line at 303 Lafayette Street since. Ski shop workers are required to melt plastic and wax to repair skis, up to 8-15 pairs a day at the peak of ski season. This work has typically been done with the use of respirators in past years. Yet, on October 4, REI imposed a new “voluntary respirator policy” nationwide that declared, without providing any evidence, that PPE are not necessary when conducting ski tunes. In the case of SoHo, managers marched into the shop and removed all existing PPE: half-face reusable respirators, the replacement filters for those, and all N-95 masks.

The bike and ski shop workers of REI SoHo continue to call on customers and supporters to email REI and demand that they provide referenced reports that the shop is well-ventilated and safe enough to work in; return ski shop workers’ respirators; get an industrial hygienist to inspect the shop; ensure that the PPE be properly managed and maintained; and negotiate with workers over the policy change. Please consider donating to the union hardship fund and follow REI Union SoHo on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for updates on the campaign!