Workers at 11 REI stores, including one in Bellingham, rejected a proposed union contract Thursday.

Despite years of fighting to ratify a contract, almost 99% of unionized workers at the Issaquah-based co-op voted to reject a proposal this week, according to a joint news release by REI and the unions on Thursday.

The outdoor gear retailer worked with two unions — the United Food and Commercial Workers Union and the Retail, Wholesale, and Department Stores Union — since July to reach collective bargaining agreements for its 11 unionized stores, per the news release.

REI workers at the Bellingham location — the only unionized store in Washington — approved representation by UFCW in 2023. The retailer has 195 locations around the country, including 11 in Washington.

REI and the unions plan to continue good-faith discussions," with the next bargaining session set for later this month.

UFCW and REI, a co-op of 25 million members, declined to provide further comment beyond the joint news release.

The retailer and its unionized workers have clashed since 2022 when the parties began working toward a contract. The union is seeking wage increases, increased staffing and job protections, among other demands.

Over the summer, the parties made some headway: REI agreed to bump wages and back-pay bonuses for unionized employees, which they didn't receive from 2022 through 2024. In turn, the union dropped its unfair labor practice complaints against REI.

"We want what’s best for all REI workers, our customers, and the co-op," the REI Union bargaining committee said in a statement in August. "This agreement is a tremendous step forward in negotiating a first contract, and we look forward to continuing to bargain with REI."

The retailer echoed at the time that "this agreement reflects both sides' commitment to finding solutions to complex issues and clears the way for continued good faith discussions toward a collective bargaining agreement.

In addition to the Bellingham store, the locations of the other unionized stores are:

— SoHo, N.Y.

— Berkeley, Calif.

— Cleveland, Ohio

— Chicago

— Boston

— Durham, N.C.

— Maple Grove, Minn.

— Castleton, Ind.

— Santa Cruz, Calif.

— Greensboro, N.C.

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