New York City: Victory on Anti-Sweatshop Law

On March 14, 2001, the New York City Council overwhelmingly passed the anti-sweatshop procurement bill that will prevent the city from buying uniforms made in sweatshops.

This legally binding bill has strong disclosure requirements for any uniform suppliers that want to do business with the City, so that they cannot hide their factory conditions. The bill also mandates that contractor factories must obey workplace laws and pay decent wages that keep their workers out of poverty.

Passage of this ordinance is especially significant because of the historical importance of the garment industry in New York City, and because there are union shops in New York that could be making uniforms for the City’s employees.

Text of the bill || Press Release || Fact Sheet

In the past two years, UNITE and allies have passed procurement resolutions in over 30 municipalities around the country, including San Francisco, Cleveland and Pittsburgh, calling on their governments to avoid purchasing uniforms made in sweatshops. Campaigns are underway in more cities as well.

For more information, contact dhennefeld@uniteunion.org.

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