In Support of Masachusetts Sweat Free Campaign

WHEREAS, sweatshop labor has an inarguably harmful effect on the health and safety of workers who are directly affected by these workplace abuses, and on the wages and working conditions of all workers, who are affected indirectly by the global race to the bottom for cheap labor; and

WHEREAS, state and local governments are large customers of apparel - such as uniforms for public sector workers - and currently have no public accountability for where this apparel is purchased from, or the conditions under which it was produced; and

WHEREAS, the purchasing power of state and local government should be used to reinforce International Labor Organization Standards and local laws that protect workers, not undermine them; and

WHEREAS, the Massachusetts Sweatfree Campaign is coordinating a drive in Massachusetts to secure Governor Patrick's adoption of a sweatfree procurement policy in Massachusetts, which would make the Governor's office a member of the State and Local Government Sweatfree Consortium; and

WHEREAS, membership in the State and Local Government Sweatfree Consortium would guarantee that contractors are held responsible for safe and healthy working conditions by monitoring them, investigating violations of labor rights, and recommending action by the Governor's office if violations are found; and

WHEREAS, the endorsement of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO would be critical for the Massachusetts Sweatfree Campaign to convince the Governor to join this Consortium; therefore be it

RESOLVED, that the Massachusetts AFL-CIO endorses the Massachusetts Sweatfree Campaign, and encourages Governor Patrick to adopt the measures necessary to join the State and Local Government Sweatfree Consortium; and be it finally

RESOLVED, that the President of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO will transmit a copy of this resolution and other information to all relevant parties to demonstrate its ardent support for the Massachusetts Sweatfree Campaign and all efforts to end the disgraceful practices and impacts of sweat shops.

Submitted by:
Robert J. Haynes, President
Louis A. Mandarini, Jr., Secretary- Treasurer