Lush’s very foundations rest on being an ethical company. But actions speak louder than words. Lush’s commitment to these values needs to be clear and plain with respect to its own workers’ rights.
WE say that Lush is union busting and applying a double standard to its own employees. This is morally and ethically wrong. Lush needs to choose whether it is a progressive company true to its values or just another union-busting company.
An employer has power, wealth and privilege in their workplace. In response to workers organizing a union, Lush used those employer advantages to hold anti-union meetings with its workers during work hours and to distribute leaflets opposed to a union organizing campaign. Those leaflets discouraged employees from exercising their rights to join a union with statements such as unions “are businesses” and suggested that signing a union card is the same as signing a 100 page contract without reading it. They also suggested that pro-union employees were trying to trick their coworkers into signing a union card.
Lush recently terminated the employment of one key member of the union organizing committee in that same campaign. They have interviewed and written to threaten discipline to union supporters in both the US and Canada who posted on Lush’s own message boards in support of unions or union campaign related workplace issues.
WE condemn these actions because we say using the Employer’s power, wealth and workplace authority to discourage or frustrate workers’ rights to organize is anti-democratic.
WE condemn these actions because the right to organize a union is a human right, as recognized in Article 23 (4) of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
WE condemn these actions because we see Union Busting as a violation of Lush’s Values. Lush’s own Ethical Buying Guide promotes themselves as considering the following when purchasing: “Workers’ rights - unions, collective bargaining, health and safety, freedom to leave, fair pay, working hours, discrimination, no child labor.”
Lush has also sponsored union organizers in other countries through its Charity Pot program. Those are morally sound and ethical practices and we support them. But why is there a double standard for Lush’s employees?
WE believe in Lush’s values. Having the right to organize will empower a multitude of strong voices of all workers – including Black, Indigenous, Queer, and Trans people’s voices - and a union will help us hold Lush accountable to their core values. We believe that the Lush values are all interconnected and that all of the Lush values are improved by allowing Lush workers to collectively bargain with Lush.
WE need YOUR help to get there. Together we can make sure Lush is the model of ethical employment it aspires to be.
To:
Mark Constantine, Founder & CEO Lush Fresh Handmade Cosmetics; Mark Wolverton, CEO Lush North America
From:
[Your Name]
WE, the undersigned, strongly condemn Lush’s anti-union conduct. Lush cannot fulfill its promise to Lushies, its workers, and the movements they support, without supporting workers rights to organize and form a union at Lush;
WE call on Lush to clearly and publicly state that it respects the rights of workers to choose for themselves whether or not to unionize;
WE call upon Lush to commit to refrain from using anti-union tactics or messaging in response to organizing campaigns;
WE call upon Lush to clearly and publicly state it will bargain in good faith with any union chosen by Lush employees anywhere across the globe;
WE ask that Lush make amends to the public, the workers, and their unions; and commit to fair elections without company interference, and fair bargaining where unions are elected.
