US EditionREI members reject three board candidates, a rebuke to co-op’s leadership
- REI members rejected three board candidates during the annual meeting on Thursday, leaving the seats vacant under co-op bylaws.
- The rejection followed a union-led campaign protesting the board’s blocking of union-backed candidates and a controversial endorsement of Doug Burgum.
- New CEO Mary Beth Laughton, who took over on March 31, acknowledged the results as a call to better listen to members and employees.
- More than 115,000 members voted, likely REI’s highest election turnout, with union leaders calling the results a rebuke of the board and a push for cooperative values.
- The three board positions will stay unfilled for now, with the board responsible for appointing replacements later, highlighting a need for the co-op to address internal divisions and reconnect with its membership.
12 Articles
12 Articles
The Columbian
The Seattle TimesREI members block leadership picks to guide struggling co-op’s future
SEATTLE — Three candidates for REI’s board of directors were rejected by voting members, a win for a union that launched a campaign against the picks two months ago. Read more...
The Billings Gazette
REI members block leadership picks to guide struggling co-op's future
SEATTLE — Three candidates for REI's board of directors were rejected by voting members, a win for a union that launched a campaign against the picks two months ago.
REI Co-op members reject company board picks after union campaign
In a show of discontent, REI Co-op members voted to reject the slate of candidates put forward by the company in this year’s Board of Directors elections. The election results represent a victory for the REI Union, which urged members to vote against the uncontested slate of board candidates. Members were encouraged to vote “withhold” to protest REI’s decision to block two union-backed candidates from the ballot; its approach to unionization ef…
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