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Date of publication: March 16, 2005

Source: Hartford Courant

Author: Paul E. Filson

I have long suspected that Courant columnist Laurence D. Cohen would be much happier living at the turn of the last century. Mr. Cohen is upset that the General Assembly is considering a bill to require the state, in its garment purchases, to take into account working conditions [Other Opinion, March 13, "Making The World Safe For Labor Unions"]. He is correct that earlier in our nation's history working conditions left much to be desired. In 1911, 146 underpaid women garment workers were incinerated or leaped to their deaths in one of our country's most horrific examples of labor exploitation, the Triangle Factory fire in New York City.

Public outcry over the senseless deaths in New York accelerated the
country's reform of labor laws. A century ago, young women and children worked 60-hour weeks, earning pathetic wages, locked inside their factories. It was wrong then in the United States and it is wrong now in Indonesia, Guatemala and China. We can say no to sweatshop conditions in factories. We can make a choice about which garments to purchase. Our choices can help improve global standards for the production of garments.

It is not all about competitive advantage. It is also about the moral
courage to make the right choices. Our union members wear the uniforms, scrubs and sweatshirts the state purchases. Given a choice, we would choose to wear clothing produced under humane conditions. Improving wages and working conditions would add less than 5 percent to the cost of any garment. Would Mr. Cohen be happier if he knew children did not produce his garments?

Paul E. Filson
Director
State Council
Service Employees International Union
West Hartford