Dear Friends, 

My name is Harshitha, and I am the Technical Team Member in Asia for the International League for Brand Responsibility.

I have the honor to organize alongside brave garment workers and members of the Garment and Textile Workers Union (GATWU) in Bangalore, India fighting to form an independent union in an Avery Dennison supplier factory.

Avery Dennison produces for brands like Levi’s, H&M, Gap and more.

I am writing to you today to share with you the alarming updates from the factory floor, and to ask your support.

GATWU is fighting to grow our union to combat management’s coercion and unequal pay practices. Through legal means, we  are fighting to reinstate 52 dismissed contract workers and demand back pay against major violations of the Minimum Wage act. The Ethical Trading Initiative has taken the lead in conducting the mediation between management and our union, despite Avery Dennison's attempt to delay the process. 

Furthermore, in an act of bad faith, Avery Dennison recently announced it would effectively end overtime benefits for members of GATWU in order to weaken them financially and persuade them to not join the union.

This action is part and parcel of a consistent pattern of retaliation from management against our union. Our members are standing strong to demand reinstatement and respect for overtime benefits. We are holding trainings for workers producing for H&M and wearing pamphlets and buttons on the factory floor to galvanize support.

We are fighting to collectively bargain for fair wages and fair hours.

Avery Dennison has a fight on their hands. Will you support us in this critical moment?

Please consider donating to the League today. Your donation here goes towards supporting GATWU leaders in ensuring job security and fair wages today!

In solidarity,

Harshitha

Asia Coordinator

Garment and Textile Workers Union