Date of publication: October 7, 2008
Source: Northwest Labor Press
The Portland City Council voted 4-0 on Oct. 15 in favor of a “sweatshop free” ordinance that establishes a code of conduct for garment workers who make uniforms for city police, firefighters and other uniform-wearing public employees.
The ordinance requires the city to purchase uniforms and other apparel only from suppliers that disclose the locations of their manufacturing facilities and that have established minimum labor standards, including working hours, child labor and humane treatment, and wages.
Portland spends nearly $2 million a year on such apparel...