Frequently Asked Questions

  • According to the National Cooperative Business Association, true co-ops are supposed to abide by core principles.

    The most important one is democratic member control.  Members have control over setting policies for the co-op and making decisions for the cooperative.

    Co-op principles say: “All members should have the same status.”

    Other true co-op principles include: 

    1. Concern for community

    2. Voluntary membership: Anyone can join. 

    3. Member economic participation

    4. Autonomy and independence

    5. Education, training and information

    6. Cooperation among cooperatives

    Learn more

  • REI is arguably not a true co-op because: 

    REI is not democratically controlled by its member-owners. At REI, some members have fewer rights than other members. That’s because REI has taken actions to silence the voices of a large group of member-owners: thousands of members who work at REI stores are not allowed to be elected as Board members. 

    REI demonstrates low regard for community by:

    • Selling goods from overseas suppliers accused of forced labor, subpoverty wages, and intense retaliation against workers for attempts to unionize – all violations of REI's labor code. 

    • Union busting against its own staff and being accused of violating labor laws over and over again.

    • Hiring the anti-union law firm Morgan Lewis, “which has worked for Amazon and Trump, and is currently echoing Elon Musk’s contentions that the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) is unconstitutional.”

    • Risking REI employee health and safety and violating OSHA laws

    • Ignoring sexual harassment issues

  • REI and PCC are very different when it comes to democracy.

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    REI: changed rules in 2005 to ban employees from serving on the Board of Directors

    PCC: allows up to 2 employees to serve on the board. Two current staff were elected to PCC’s board in 2021 and reelected in 2024.

    ——

    REI: Board may ban anyone they want from members’ ballots and deny members a choice.

    PCC: Any member who wants to run for election to board can with the signatures of 2% of the membership.

  • HB 1635 would require very big co-ops to allow up to two employees to serve on the board.

    • HB 1635 amends the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 23.86 and 24.06, which governs the incorporation of cooperative associations and consumer cooperatives, commonly known as “co-ops.”

    • HB 1635 requires cooperative associations and consumer cooperatives with 2,500 or more employees worldwide to allow up to two employees to serve on the board of directors.

  • Thanks for asking! Tell REI’s board of directors to allow REI members to vote on pro-employee candidates like Shemona Moreno. Shemona is CEO of 350 Seattle, a climate justice organization. Take action now!