Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Lush Cosmetics Workers in Maryland Vote Unanimously to Join UFCW

Working people across the United States regularly step up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our Service & Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.

Staff at a Lush Cosmetics storefront in Baltimore last month voted unanimously to form a union with United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 27.

These workers join the ranks of their colleagues in St. Louis; Louisville and Lexington, Kentucky; and Friendswood, Texas, who are part of the growing number of staff organizing to improve conditions at the British retailer.

“It has been a joy working at Lush since I joined as floor leader in the 2024 holiday season,” said Hazel Schalow, a worker at the Baltimore store. “I value all my co-workers so much, which is why unionization feels like the right thing to do so that our store can continue succeeding. I want to make sure everyone who’s a part of Lush Harbor East can have the proper pay and scheduling to build a life for themself here in the city we love, and I’m so proud of us all for taking this big step forward together! We support all our fellow co-workers in raising issues to be improved, and we have each other’s back because caring is what we do best as a workforce.”

“This is what happens when workers stand together and refuse to be pushed around,” said Jason Chorpenning, president of UFCW Local 27. “These workers faced union-busting head-on and still won unanimously. That sends a message to this company and every employer in retail: workers are done accepting low pay, unpredictable schedules, and disrespect on the job.”