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REI announced a second round of layoffs to occur this year, and hundreds of store management employees will be affected by the job cuts. The company states that these workers will be let go due to changes in the REI staffing model. REI stated that it would be diverting resources to seasonal workers and other retail positions instead. The adjustments to the staffing model will provide greater accountability measures and will provide workers with greater schedule predictability. The REI Union will be taking legal action against the company, as the union was not given any notice before layoffs occurred. Labor laws state that the company is required to negotiate with the union before major layoff decisions are made. The union stated that they were disappointed by the decision, and the company chose to lay off experienced veteran employees and hire new workers, who are paid lower wages.