Why shop Union Made?

In today’s global economy, where corporations regularly profit from moving production to exploit the world's most vulnerable workers, many of the goods we buy are made under extremely poor working conditions. Quality union manufacturing jobs are constantly offshored because companies feel no responsibility to pay a fair wage.

According to the U.S. Department of the Census, 68% of all the wealth created annually in the United States is from personal consumer spending: basic items such as clothing and food.

 As a consumer, you can choose how you spend your money, and that choice gives you power. Buying Union Made gives you the power to support responsible companies that employ workers at a decent wage, rather than reprehensible employers who move jobs from continent to continent in order to exploit a desperate workforce. Money spent on union made products ensures that the workers who make that product are treated fairly, paid decent wages, and represented through collective bargaining.

To shop with a clear conscience, please refer to this list of union-made products.  Links are provided for these retailers’ online stores.  Shop union-made; support union workers:

Apparel
Union Jean Company
Unionline
No Sweat Apparel
Justice Clothing
Union House
Piney/USA
Unionwear (bulk orders)
King Louie
Zubie Wear
DMH2
Union Made Clothing
Leather Coats Etc.
Alliance Graphics
Union Made in America
Special T Unlimited


Shoes
Alden of New England
Red Wing Shoe Company
Brown Shoe Company


Electronics
Union Built PC


Vehicles
UAW/CAW/IUE-CWA Cars and Trucks


Sporting Equipment
Spalding
NordicTrack
Louisville Slugger


Toys
Radio Flyer

Printing/Publishing
Hollywood Impress Printing
Journal Printing
Red Sun Press

Hotels
UNITE HERE Hotel Guide

Coffee
USA Coffee Company

Also find an assortment of clothing, books, entertainment, posters and more at the AFL-CIO Union Shop Online

For a guide to both Union Made and Fair Trade products, visit the 2008 Shop With a Conscience Consumer Guide

To find a company or retailer in your local area, search the site endorsed by the AFL-CIO Union Label & Service Trades Department: Shop Union Made

Take action against sweatshops through the Massachusetts Sweatfree Campaign

The Non-Union Alternative 

The True Cost of a White Cotton T-Shirt - Learn about the global production chain for this common item.
Behind the Label - An in-depth look at the clothing industry.
SweatshopWatch  - A website about sweatshop working conditions.
Students Against Sweatshops - An organization of students against sweatshop labor.
AFL-CIO Stop Sweatshops - The AFL-CIO's anti-sweatshop campaign.