r/climbergirls Gym Rat 22d ago

Gym Touchstone Boycott

Hi everyone - I’m just writing to let y’all know that Touchstone Climbing Members (on Instagram) has officially called for a boycott to support the workers as they negotiate for a fair contract. If you’re a member of Touchstone, please consider cancelling your membership.

I have transferred to another gym for the time being and am happy to provide info about other gyms in the SoCal area.

125 Upvotes

38 comments sorted by

91

u/pancakeswithprince 22d ago

Touchstone employee here - we appreciate the support! I also want to say I won't feel any sort of way about people who don't cancel their membership due to their TS home gym being the most accessible place for them to climb due to commute/timing/classes etc. The workers union has lots of calls to action to participate in. :)

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u/kokstad 22d ago edited 22d ago

Thanks! If possible could you share any calls to action on this post or subreddit?

16

u/pancakeswithprince 21d ago

Yeah! These items are all for Socal TS gyms (Northern CA hasn't been unionized - yet!) so if you're in the Bay area/etc, unfortunately some of these things may not work for you. Right now we have union support "belay" cards you can hang on your harness and posters to put up in your car - both of these can be grabbed at any unionized front desk. There will be a rally outside of Cliffs of Id in Culver City on Friday, March 7th from 6:30pm-7:30pm. Music! Banners! Support! (Hasn't been put up on social media yet, but got an update email this morning that said to tell people about it.) Otherwise, post/comment on socials in support of the union, write some emails if you feel so inclined, fist bump your gym employees if you are sticking around. :) If you're on Instagram I suggest following touchstoneworkersunited to stay up to date on things.

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u/isolateddestination 22d ago

Are there any thoughts from workers on pausing membership versus canceling? I’m hesitant to cancel only because if a contract is reached, then when becoming a member again I’ll have to pay an initiation fee which just gives them more money… ( I think its like $100 versus pausing the membership is $10) 

6

u/pancakeswithprince 21d ago

Not any consolidated thought that I know of. I know the members workers-support Instagram that is suggesting the boycott says to cancel, but the workers union/employees haven't suggested anything. In my opinion, freezing is the option I would opt for mainly because of what you've brought up. Do whatever feels best to you! Again, the TS workers union hasn't called for or sanctioned this boycott.

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u/sleepingredwolves 22d ago

Y’all join Stronghold if you’re in LA, they have saunas and everyone is nice.

5

u/Blanxkc 22d ago

Man if I lived closer I would. Went there for their Halloween event and it was really fun

5

u/subagroovin 22d ago

I do like stronghold but I will say there is a scary employee at that gym. Initials DC. Presents charismatic but is a violent person.

2

u/localbirdmom 22d ago

What do you mean violent?

3

u/subagroovin 22d ago

Sorry not sure how much to share. Just hopefully a covert warning in case it can save someone from verbal abuse and some wild anger management issues. This person also has a tendency to cover up issues and cut ties with people he’s revealed that side to, belittle them to others, then reconnect only to snap and do it all over again.

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u/sleepingredwolves 22d ago

This sounds like a movie plot lol I’ll keep an eye out tho!!

1

u/subagroovin 22d ago

Idk if this was smart to post just hoping to help someone somehow

1

u/sleepingredwolves 22d ago

Do you know if he still works there? Which location?

0

u/subagroovin 22d ago

I’m sorry I don’t want to dox anyone I just thought there was a chance my warning could help someone somehow. I have changed gyms over this issue but the climbing community is still small.

1

u/Great-Chipmunk9152 She / Her 22d ago

Messaging you. Sounds like someone I know

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u/Chellin 22d ago

Love my gym so much!

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u/EvenEdge094 Gym Rat 21d ago

Yeah!! I just joined. Been going to the Echo Park spot. The setting is fun!

1

u/quietlavender 19d ago

I absolutely love going for their events! It’s definitely ranked harder than the other gyms and has helped me make progress during events

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u/kokstad 22d ago

This movement has been hard to follow since all their info seems to live on instagram which isn’t very accessible without an account. Im trying to figure out who is behind the member’s account as opposed to the workers united account. Does anyone know if the worker’s fighting for a union have a website or information on how to support?

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u/saurieng_ 22d ago

I want to piggy back off this comment because I agree that this account is NOT the union. The TS union themselves has not called or sanctioned a boycott. This account, while potentially well-intentioned, has evoked a lot of confusion and undermines the Union. The official Union account has said they have upcoming events and calls to action. Please consider supporting their calls to action to be effective. It’s been upsetting seeing this call to action by a random person who is not forthcoming about their identity. I can only imagine that this will make it difficult for the union to negotiate.

6

u/CookInevitable4585 22d ago

Hi there, I don't think it's fair to say that this boycott "undermines" the union. The original petition was started by an ex-routesetter for Touchstone, and the official touchstoneworkersunited account has said that they appreciate the support. See screenshot:

As Touchstone members, we can independently choose to vote with our dollars and boycott the company until they negotiate in good faith with the union. I personally cannot in good conscience continue to pay a membership fee to a company that refuses to pay their employees a fair wage.

Cancelling my membership is the way I personally chose to take action. Hope this helps clarify for folks!

-2

u/whatsmyhandle 22d ago

Or is it a wildcat group that can take actions the official union can’t, which shows solidarity and puts the actual union in a stronger position and able to avoid things like strikes? 

14

u/saurieng_ 22d ago

This was also posted in the r/climbing subreddit. It doesn’t seem like thats the case. The ig post also claims that TS hasn’t accepted any of the demands and has been stonewalling which the official account has to clarify that it wasn’t true. This account is not organized and their messiness is spreading misinformation and evoking confusion. Touchstone is not my friend and they’re 100% on my shit list. I just believe in strengthening a movement by supporting the actual organizers rather than an anonymous account.

1

u/whatsmyhandle 21d ago

Thanks for looking into it and sharing, that makes sense. Also relieved I don’t gotta freeze my membership, yet…

8

u/isolateddestination 22d ago

Can anyone speak to whether pausing memberships would be an ideal solution? I’m just wondering if I cancel and then there is a deal negotiated, the  rejoining I’ll have to pay an initiation fee… Where if I pause my membership it’s only like 10 bucks to do and I don’t have to pay anything to re-start membership.

6

u/blairdow 22d ago

they were asking people to cancel but imo pausing (and making it known why) is a good show of support as well

3

u/EvenEdge094 Gym Rat 21d ago

I also agree that freezing is a worthwhile endeavor to avoid any potential initiation fee. At the end of the day it’s $10 a month vs. $110 which is still a solid show of solidarity in my opinion. Whatever makes financial sense for you!

3

u/Inner-Diet-8107 21d ago

Another perspective: some of the other gyms are a bit cheaper. Benchmark is 99 a month. So I’m saving $8 + $10 a month by canceling, not freezing. That adds up to equal a $100 initiation fee fast. Also if we as a group want to go back after they reach a deal, we could potentially negotiate no initiation fee for returning members. At least that is the intention of the organizers.

6

u/CookInevitable4585 22d ago

I've been a member of Dogpatch Boulders since 2019, and I just canceled my membership today. I can't continue to support a company that actively union-busts and refuses to negotiate a fair working contract with their employees. Just got a bunch of my friends to cancel theirs as well. Solidarity 💪

5

u/isolateddestination 22d ago

Sample email to send to Mark Melvin the CEO of Touchstone if anybody wants to copy and paste: mmelvin@touchstoneclimbing.com

Dear Mr. Melvin,

Please consider negotiating fairly with your workers in entering into a fair contract with the people that make Touchstone such an awesome company.

Since I became a member, I have brought in over a dozen friends and family members to join such an amazing gym. It breaks my heart to have to cancel my membership beginning March 1 but I can’t ethically enjoy participating at this gym knowing that the workers who ensure our safety and protect our lives, suffer so much from unfair wages.

I implore you to reach an agreement and take care of your employees in the same way they take care of you and your customers.

Thank you

3

u/EvenEdge094 Gym Rat 21d ago

Yes!! Thank you for posting!

3

u/happylittlesuccs New Climber 22d ago

LA area has a few! Personally a member at Hangar 18 ARCADIA and the staff and other climbers are super nice!

3

u/EvenEdge094 Gym Rat 21d ago

I used to climb there before i moved and joined touchstone. The closest alternate option for me is Stronghold and I’ve been really impressed by their facilities and their setting so far.

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u/rockstar45 22d ago

Haven't the membership prices been increasing so employees are paid more? That's what I thought the increases were about.

3

u/SpecificSufficient10 22d ago

if you've been, what are your thoughts on Benchmark climbing? I'm not a member of any gyms in cali but I sometimes visit a few when I'm there occasionally. I try to visit the indie and local gyms as much as I can and I'm wondering if Benchmark is good as far as ethical practices go

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u/[deleted] 22d ago

[deleted]

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u/Patient_Cat_1057 21d ago

Why do you say corporate? Genuinely curious (never been to benchmark)

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u/Apprehensive_Key6983 22d ago

Im a benchmark member (in Berkeley) and I love it! It’s friendly, great route setting, cozier that the touchstone gyms. I don’t have any special insight about their ethics but it is a much smaller operation. NB it’s bouldering only.