Just received an email from REI saying in part:
After a great deal of careful consideration, we are temporarily closing our 162 retail stores nationwide starting tomorrow, March 16, until March 27. I believe that is the right thing for our community. In fact, I believe it is our duty—to do all we can to help keep one another safe in this unprecedented moment.
That also means all employees from these stores will be paid during this temporary closure.
Makes me proud to be member #638776.
Kudos!! My little sister has been a deli manager for a supermarket chain in NJ for 30 years and she is concerned. I would be too. 2 ER doctors are now in critical condition with COVID-19.
As a major co-op store, REI has taken some generous steps on behalf of its employees, which is a positive aspect of that type of business model.