Banners from the protest Photo: Photo courtesy of Citizens UK.
Quakers join John Lewis protest
Friends participated in nonviolent protests at some John Lewis stores in Britain
A group of Quakers took part last Saturday in nonviolent protests at some John Lewis stores in Britain. They were raising concerns, as customers, about the exclusion of cleaners from the John Lewis ‘partnership model’ and challenging the store’s reputation as one of the country’s leading ethical retailers.
Their aim was to highlight the discrepancy between the partnership’s reputation as an exemplary employer and the decision made twenty years ago to outsource cleaning and catering staff as part of a cost saving exercise.
Sarah Holtam, of Westminster Meeting, said: ‘This decision excluded them from the benefits of being a John Lewis partner. There are around 3,000 cleaners and 70,000 partners. Bringing cleaners back in-house would mean they make up just four per cent of the total partnership.’
John Lewis gives its partners a number of significant benefits, including an annual dividend.
Sarah added: ‘One cleaner told the campaign: “The minimum wage isn’t enough to live on. We are talking about people who don’t always have enough money to put food on a table, buy books for their kids or even a bus pass to work.”’
She said that customers appreciated the opportunity to have both formal and informal conversations with John Lewis partners, who talked with pride about the way the company is set up and the benefits of being a partner.
Sarah said: ‘They were pleasantly surprised by the relational, peaceful nature of the protest, which proved a valuable lesson to them. The action will continue over coming weeks through activities such as workshops where participants can embroider handkerchiefs with slogans such as “John Lewis is a wonderful store – don’t blow it!”’
