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RSVP at www.unionvoice.org/laborrights/events/SweatfreeDC_Hearing/details.tcl

IT’S TIME TO ACT!  SWEATFREE DC NEEDS YOU TO SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR RESPONSIBLE CONTRACTING IN DC!  This is our chance to make the case for labor standards and enforcement in all contracts with DC. 

DC spends nearly $6 million each year on apparel and footwear alone, such as police uniforms and other gear.  Because DC doesn’t have specific requirements on upholding strong labor standards, there is little information available on what is going on in the factories producing products for DC.  We have learned that some of the largest contractors are buying from the brands, such as Blauer, and other companies known for sourcing from sweatshops.

Service procurement is also in dire need of reform, as we have seen with the failure of the system to vet contractors, and with the back and forth between the Administration and the Council over payment of contracts.  Failure to vet contractors resulted in hiring Hawk One Security, which went bankrupt leaving close to 1000 workers without a job and without their last few weeks of pay.  This happened in October and the officers have yet to see a dime of what they are owed. 

This hearing will addrses the two procurement reforms bills that have been introduced into the council NEITHER OF WHICH ADDRESSES THE ISSUE OF RESPONSIBLE CONTRACTING with regards to labor standards.  The Sweatfree DC campaign is working to add an amendment to the proposed legislation that would move DC to adopt a sweatfree policy and join the SweatFree Purchasing Consortium.  SEIU Local 32BJ is working to add an amendment to the proposed procurement reform legislation that would protect service contract employees by requiring that contracted labor be bonded.  This essentially would serve as an insurance policy for workers so that if a company cannot make payroll, workers will still get paid. 

RSVP at www.unionvoice.org/laborrights/events/SweatfreeDC_Hearing/details.tcl

We must tell DC government that we DO NOT WANT OUR TAX DOLLARS SUPPORTING COMPANIES THAT VIOLATE NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL LABOR STANDARDS!

COME OUT TO THE HEARING AND/OR PREPARE A TESTIMONY SUPPORTING RESPONSIBLE CONTRACTING IN THE DISTRICT.

Read the official Public Hearing Notification here: http://www.dccouncil.washington.dc.us/media/2010%20Meeting%20Notices/GOEPublicHearingmarch2320101000amRoom500.PDF