Date of publication: November 9, 2004
Source: No More Sweatshops Press Release
NO MORE SWEATSHOPS!
November 09, 2004
Press Release
Los Angeles Council Passes Anti-Sweatshop Ordinance, Including $100,000 for Enforcement, Toughest Anti-Sweatshop Law in U.S.
LOS ANGELES. Nov. 9. The City Council unanimously adopted the nation's most aggressive anti-sweatshop ordinance by a unanimous vote today after two years of lobbying by local unions, sweatshop workers, clergy and activists.
The measure includes:
1. a sweat-free code of conduct required of all contractors and subcontractors, including a "procurement living wage" 2. coverage of all city procurement, beginning with garments and uniforms, 3. full public disclosure of manufacturing sites, 4. funding for one city enforcement officer, 5. funding for an independent monitor, 6. creation of an oversight committee including advocates, 7. a goal of forming a multi-city consortium.
The measure was stalled for months over questions of funding until its sponsor, Councilman Eric Garcetti, took the lead in persuading the Council and city agencies that the ordinance would be only a "feel good" measure unless it included a real enforcement mechanism such as the Workers Rights Consortium (WRC).
With full scope, disclosure and funding for enforcement, the ordinance is the toughest adopted thus far in the United States. Earlier this year, the Los Angeles Unified School District, under the leadership of David Tokofsky, adopted a sweat-free ordinance with provisions for a non-poverty wage, but without funding independent enforcement.
Next stop for No More Sweatshops! is the Bay Area. "Only if a consortium of cities, school boards and states adopt progressive procurement guidelines will government play a responsible role in the global marketplace instead of using our taxdollars to subsidize sweatshops, child labor and poverty", said Tom Hayden, director of the Coalition.
Others joining to lobby the City Council included the Garment Workers Center, Sweatshop Watch, UNITE/HERE, the LA County Labor Federation, Progressive Christians Uniting, Progressive Jewish Alliance, and the California Council of Churches.
This work urgently needs contributions to continue to the Bay Area and the Multi-City Consortium beyond! If possible, please make out checks to Global Workplace Education Fund, and send to No More Sweatshops, c/o 10536 Culver Blvd., Suite H2, Culver City, Calif, 90232. For more information on the LA ordinance, contact Erica Zeitlin at No More Sweatshops!, abolishsweatshops@yahoo.com [1].