“Radical Transparency” is the mission of clothing company, Everlane. They want customers to know everything about how they make and price their clothing. Their about section of their website includes descriptions like this:
We believe our customers have a right to know how much their clothes cost to make. We reveal the true costs behind all of our products–from materials to labor to transportation–then offer them to you, minus the traditional retail markup.
It sounds fantastic, but some of their employees say that transparency is only for customers and not for employees, and, as such, they are forming a union. Citing poor pay and that while Everlane wants its clothes to last forever, they treat employees as disposable. It’s not a pretty picture.
Everlane, of course, counters that there are downsides to unionization and Vice reports that Kelly McLaughlin, head of the People division at Everlane, sent emails regarding the union drive, pointing out these downsides, including lack of individual communication. (Vice points out, correctly, that all this can depend on the union contract.)
To keep reading, click here: The Radically Transparent Fashion Startup Everlane Is Finding Out Why That Idea Should Extend to Employees, Too
“Radical transparency” in fashion sounds reminiscent of the Emperor’s New Clothes; i.e., peddling a fantastic reality where none exists. If Everlane is as anti-union as it appears, it sounds more like the same old same old.
There are both upside and downside to going union. If the employer offers good wages and benefits, then there’s nothing needed, but we don’t know what specific wages these employees had. As this is a fairly new company, compared to others, I am quite sure pay given at least at the start based on predicted sales. At this point now, the company has a proven record and can re-evaluate labor costs along with all other costs. Unfortunately, like every other company, labor costs are the last priority, but to maintain those employees who have probably been there through the startup, does require a cost of some kind. It is a shame that Everlane has become another sweatshop for employees, because of the bottom.
Everlane cashmere sweaters are the best. I have several crew neck sweaters. Twice the quality of a much higher priced sweater.