The DC Sweatfree campaign is calling on Mayor Fenty and our local elected officials to join the Sweatfree Purchasing Consortium and pass a strong sweatshopfree purchasing policy to end tax dollar support for sweatshops.
- Endorse the Campaign [1]
- Send an email to Mayor Fenty [2] showing your support
- Join Sweatfree DC on Facebook [3]
- View the Amendment [4]we have proposed
- See Reportback from Mar 23 DC Govt Public Hearing [5]
Sweatfree DC Campaign launched on April 15, 2009 [6] in front of the U.S. Department of Treasury where we delivered a check for $4.4 billion of taxpayer money on apparel and textiles for federal and state governments. You can see pictures of the campaign launch here [7].
The DC government purchases millions of dollars of apparel for city employees each year for things like police uniforms. Several of the companies holding city contracts are using brands cited for severe labor violations. Investigations of factories producing Dickies brand [8], supplied by American Supply Company and JH Linen, found the factory paying workers poverty wages, forcing them to work overtime with no sick leave or days off, and intimidating and firing workers believed to be involved in union activities. These same suppliers, as well as others suppliers of DC apparel, are also sourcing form brands such as Blauer and Red Kap, whose factories also have histories of documented labor and human rights abuses.
By passing a sweatfree policy in DC we will be able to ensure that no apparel being warn or used by DC city officials and employees was made in sweatshops [9] and that DC taxpayer dollars are not supporting abusive labor practices. More importantly, we will be creating a market for goods produced under fair labor practices, demonstrating to suppliers that it is no longer necessary to compete in the race to the bottom.
Organizations and Businesses that have endorsed the campaign include:
- American Friends Service Committee-DC
- Cakelove
- Washington Peace Center
- Redeem
- Greater Goods
- DC Pride at Work
- DC Coalition of Labor Union Women
- Global Exchange DC
- Jews United For Justice
The DC Sweatfree campaign can use your help in showing Mayor Fenty and the DC City Council that this is a policy that the all DC residents want to see passed. In 2008 DC became a Human Rights City [10]. A sweatfree policy will be reaffirm DC’s commitment to Universal Human Rights. Show your support for our sweatfree policy by sending Mayor Fenty a letter of support and by signing our online petition. If your are a member of a DC group: small business, faith-based, community involvement, etc; have your group sign an endorsement form found here.
To read a copy of a model sweatfree policy visit: www.sweatfree.org/resources_modelcode [11]
To learn more about the Sweatfree Purchasing Consortium and read a copy of their full White Paper visit: buysweatfree.org/about [12]
Learn more about sweatfree campaigns at Sweatfree Communities website www.sweatfree.org [13].
Sweatfree DC Campaign
Petition Signer
Delivering a big check to the U.S Treasury
Signing a Sweatfree DC support petition