skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Monday, February 10, 2025

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Vance questions authority of US judges to challenge Trump; UAW contract negotiations at VW focus on higher wages, health care, retirement; Report highlights how Georgia can unlock rural infrastructure, broadband; Leftover fish parts could help keep industrial fishing waste low.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

The head of the new White House Faith Office draws scrutiny, Trump moves to fire the Federal Elections Commission chair, and a North Carolina judge won't toss tens of thousands of ballots in a state Supreme Court race.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Medical debt, which tops $90 billion has an outsized impact on rural communities, a new photography book shares the story of 5,000 schools built for Black students between 1912 and 1937, and anti-hunger advocates champion SNAP.

MA worker co-op movement backs REI union contract efforts

play audio
Play

Monday, December 16, 2024   

Union workers fighting for a fair contract at Recreational Equipment, Inc. Boston are drawing support from the state's growing worker co-op community.

REI is the largest customer co-op brand, but many worker-owned co-ops say it has failed to live up to its stated values or bargain in good faith.

Union member and REI Boston worker Sam Gilbert said workers need a greater say in scheduling, training, and a living wage.

"I see all of those as being progressive changes that we can do within the union," said Gilbert, "and in doing so we can really help REI out, too."

Gilbert said he's grateful for the backing of fellow unions and worker co-ops, especially following the loss of five senior co-workers.

REI maintains their dismissals were not related to union activities, and that it's committed to the contract negotiation process.

The union campaign at REI is part of a nationwide surge in retail labor organizing, that began during the pandemic as workers rallied for higher wages and improved safety conditions.

Michael Brennan, projects coordinator with the U.S. Federation of Worker Cooperatives, said it was important that members show solidarity with union workers - based on their shared value of workplace democracy.

"We're building connections between co-operators and workers at their local REI store," said Brennan, "so that they can help show up for any kind of pickets or rallies, or just meet for coffee and be a moral support."

Brennan said about fifty co-ops have signed onto a petition, calling on REI to respect its workers and reach a fair, first contract by the end of the year.

Union and co-op members say their common goals are ultimately good for business. State lawmakers agree and have created a new state agency to help facilitate their development.

Sarah Assefa, organizer with the Coalition for Ownership and Power, said the agency can provide the grant and loan guarantees as well as technical help to get started.

"There tends to be quite a bit of state infrastructure to support lots of the business world," said Assefa, "but it would be great to see even more state infrastructure to support worker-owned businesses - because it is such a special model."

A co-op coalition is asking the state for nearly 700-thousand dollars to help build a network of worker-owned co-ops across the Commonwealth. Assefa says that would help more businesses reinvest in their own communities rather than simply extract from them.



get more stories like this via email

more stories
Salmonella, campylobacter, listeria and E. coli are among the leading bacterial causes of foodborne illnesses resulting in hospitalizations and death. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

Foodborne illnesses from meat and poultry products kill thousands of people a year and a new report from the Government Accountability Office offers w…


Environment

play sound

About 20% of fish caught in the wild are not used to feed people across the world but a recent study found the unused portions of fish prepared for th…

Environment

play sound

By Seth Millstein for Sentient.Broadcast version by Mark Richardson for Ohio News Connection reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Collaborat…


Social Issues

play sound

Legislation in Olympia would make school meals free for every student. Senate Bill 5352 would ensure every student has access to free breakfast and …

Avian influenza is caused by the same type of virus that causes seasonal influenza in humans.
(Pexels)

Environment

play sound

By Grey Moran for Sentient.Broadcast version by Trimmel Gomes for Mississippi News Connection reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Collabora…

Social Issues

play sound

The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption and the Texas Alliance of Child and Family Services are working together to find homes for foster-care childre…

Environment

play sound

North Dakota lawmakers are still sorting out a thorny agricultural issue getting to the heart of local zoning restrictions for animal feedlot operatio…

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021