Show All » » General
Sunday, March 07, 2010 ** NEW **US Social Forum this Summer in Detroit
In 2004, we met our co-op at the World Social Forum in Mumbai. It was a gathering of more than 100, 000 people from around the world. This amazing synergy of the global grassroots community met under the theme "Another World is Possible". This summer the grassroots community from around the US will come together in Detroit for the second U.S. Social Forum-Read more here.
Posted By: Beth Provo @ 9:36:23 PMTop
Show All » » General
Saturday, February 27, 2010Plan to Seek of Use of U.S. Contracts as a Wage Lever
February 26, 2010
Plan to Seek Use of U.S. Contracts as a Wage Lever
The Obama administration is planning to use the governments enormous buying power to prod private companies to improve wages and benefits for millions of workers, according to White House officials and several interest groups briefed on the plan.
By altering how it awards $500 billion in contracts each year, the government would disqualify more companies with labor, environmental or other violations and give an edge to companies that offer better levels of pay, health coverage, pensions and other benefits, the officials said.
Because nearly one in four workers is employed by companies that have contracts with the federal government, administration officials see the plan as a way to shape social policy and lift more families into the middle class. It would affect contracts like those awarded to make Army uniforms, clean federal buildings and mow lawns at military bases.
Although the details are still being worked out, the outline of the plan is drawing fierce opposition from business groups and Republican lawmakers. They see it as a gift to organized labor and say it would drive up costs for the government in the face of a $1.3 trillion budget deficit.
Im suspicious of what the end goals are, said Ben Brubeck, director of labor and federal procurement for Associated Builders and Contractors, which represents 25,000 construction-related companies. Its pretty clear the agenda is to give big labor an advantage in federal contracts.
Critics also said the policy would put small businesses, many of which do not provide rich benefits, at a disadvantage. Furthermore, government officials would find it difficult to evaluate bidders using the new criteria and to determine whether one companys compensation package should give it an edge, said Alan L. Chvotkin, executive vice president of the Professional Services Council, a coalition of 340 government contractors.
From his earliest days in office, President Obama has called for an overhaul of government procurement policy, citing the contracting scandals of the previous decade involving cost overruns and no-bid contracts.
The president made it clear that he is committed to reforming government contracts to save taxpayers money while protecting workers and the environment, a White House spokesman, Bill Burton, said. The administration is currently gathering data and examining the best ways to do this.
Two of Mr. Obamas allies John Podesta, the Clinton administration chief of staff who headed the presidents transition team, and Andy Stern, president of the Service Employees International Union have repeatedly pressed the president to use procurement policy to push up wages and benefits.
In testimony last year to the Office of Management and Budget, Mr. Podesta said that 400,000 workers employed under federal contracts like cafeteria workers, security guards and landscaping workers at federal buildings earn less than $22,000 a year, the federal poverty line for a family of four, assuming just one paycheck in a household.
We have a president who is talking about bringing more people into the middle class, Mr. Stern said. The government should expect contractors to obey the law, and at the same time contractors should not be building a poverty economy, but should be trying to build a high-road economy.
The officials briefed on the plan said it was being developed by officials in the Office of Management and Budget, the White House Office of Legal Counsel, the Treasury, Justice and Labor Departments and the vice presidents Middle Class Task Force.
Even as business groups press the administration for more details, they are denouncing the plan, tentatively named the High Road Procurement Policy.
The Daily Caller, a conservative Web site, reported Feb. 4 that the plan would heavily favor government contractors that implement policies designed by organized labor.
Randel K. Johnson, senior vice president for labor at the United States Chamber of Commerce, called the plan a warmed-over version of President Bill Clintons regulations that sought to bar federal agencies from awarding contracts to companies with a record of breaking labor, environmental or consumer laws. President George W. Bush vacated those regulations soon after taking office.
We strongly opposed the Clinton blacklist regulations, Mr. Johnson said, and this appears worse than that.
On Feb. 2, Senator Susan Collins of Maine and four other Republican senators sent a letter to Peter R. Orszag, director of the White House budget office, saying, We are concerned that the imposition of these requirements, during a time of significant economic turmoil in the private sector and tight federal budgets, could have serious, negative consequences, especially for our nations small businesses.
One signer was Tom Coburn, Republican of Oklahoma, who was one of the two main sponsors the other was Senator Barack Obama of a bill that sought to increase the transparency and accountability of federal contracting by requiring the government to create a data base of all federal contracts. President Bush signed it into law in 2007.
David Madland, director of the American Workers Project at the Center for American Progress, a liberal research group founded by Mr. Podesta, argues the new policy could lower government costs, instead of raising them.
Many low-wage employees of federal contractors receive Medicaid and food stamps, he said. Citing studies conducted by the Department of Housing and Urban Development and by academic researchers, he said that contractors that pay their employees well have greater productivity and reliability, while contractors with a record of labor law violations do shoddier construction work.
This policy is good for workers, its good for taxpayers and its good for high-road businesses, Mr. Madland said.
He said that one study done by the state of Maryland found that after the state began requiring bidders to pay a living wage, the number of bidders per contract rose by a third on average. Some higher-wage companies said they began seeking government bids because the new policy leveled the playing field.
One federal official said the proposed policy would encourage procurement officers to favor companies with better compensation packages only if choosing them did not add substantially to contract costs. As an example, he said, if two companies each bid $10 million for a contract, and one had considerably better wages and pensions than the other, that company would be favored.
Some supporters of the new procurement policy and even some opponents say Mr. Obama could impose it through executive order. They assert that the president has broad powers to issue procurement regulations, just as President John Kennedy did in requiring federal contractors to have companywide equal employment opportunity plans.
But some opponents argue that legislation would be needed because an executive order may collide with laws that require federal contractors to pay the prevailing regional wage for the type of work being done. The executive order, they fear, would call for higher wages.
Top
Show All » » General
Wednesday, February 17, 2010Photos from TB Training at Co-op
Each Saturday the social workers at the co-op organize a training on topics ranging from health issues to legal concerns for one of the 12 sewing work groups. We attended a training in Center #2 (one of the oldest work centers at the co-op!) about Tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS. The topics for the trainings are selected by the women in the work groups who express interest in learning about a particular subject. The social workers either then conduct the training themselves or call in an outside trainer who is an expert in their field. This week a man from the Maharashtra Anti-TB group conducted the training. He spoke about common symptoms of TB, the actions you can take to get help and where you can find resources. TB is one of the leading causes of mortality in India- killing 2 people every three minutes, nearly 1,000 every day. To read more about TB in India from the WHO. Here are some photos from the training:
Top
Show All » » General
Tuesday, January 26, 2010TransFair visits our Organic Cotton Farmers!
Last week, we traveled with Paul Rice and Heather Franzese from TransFair to visit with organic cotton farmers in villages where we source our organic cotton. We stood in the famer's fields and heard stories about the difference that organic cotton farming is making in their lives. Famers who used to suffer from harmful chemical effects of pesticides such as skin rashes, difficulty breathing, and numbness in their arms and legs now benefit from fewer costs in inputs of production, higher yields and safe, healthly working conditions. The farmers also benefit from the fair trade premium that is paid to them for their cotton. When we asked them how thay have used the fair trade premium we found that some had chosen to invest in vermicomposting, built roads, or put resouces towards their children's education. One meeting with a small cluster of famers was held in the late afternoon, and as the sun set became a candlit affair since there was no power in the village. The cluster represented many generations of farmers from the oldest farmer at age 70 and the youngest at 26. Each of the farmers in the room representing generations of farmers before them. There was only once woman farmer in the group but the cluster has decided that they will work to include two more women farmers since as they explained they are equal in the farming work. Many of the women put long hours into the fields each day. Aside from the cotton that they produce many of the farmers in this area grow oranges, for which the region is famous. The organic oranges are also sold to the local market as a form of income generation. Other forms that are in development include developing a milk co-op and a seed co-op. Many of the organic seeds utilized by these farmers are from seeds that they have saved. The NGO which supports the farmers we work with has an amazing infrastructure and support system for the farmers so that they can have the most amount of support and training needed to have more economic self sufficiency and access to the market at fair prices. As we get back with our farmer interviews and photos we will be able to share their stories.
Top
Show All » » General
Wednesday, January 13, 2010off to India
Over the next few weeks Beth and Maisie will be traveling in India to design our collection for 2010-2011 and visit the organic farmers. Stay tuned for posts from the Co-op and from our visit to the organic cotton farms!
Posted By: Beth Provo @ 8:28:35 PMTop
Show All » » General
Monday, December 14, 2009Our housewares can liven up your holiday table or make a great gift!
This holiday season some of our top-selling products are our gorgeous housewares which have been flying off the shelves at our stores across the country. Our table linens make a great gift or an elegant table setting for your holiday meals!
Top
Show All » » General
Thursday, December 10, 2009World Human Rights Day
Today World Human Rights Day is celebrated around the world. The focus for this year is the fight to end discrimination.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights emphasises the rights to life, liberty, and security of person; to freedom from arbitrary arrest; to a fair trial; to be presumed innocent until proved guilty; to freedom from interference with the privacy of one's home and correspondence; to freedom of movement and residence; to asylum, nationality, and ownership of property; to freedom of thought, conscience, religion, opinion, and ex-pression; to association, peaceful assembly, and participation in government; to social security, work, rest, and a standard of living adequate for health and well-being; to education; and to participation in the social life of one's community.
Top
Show All » » General
Thursday, December 10, 2009Press Release about Working Conditions at Government Contractors
For
Immediate Release
December 10, 2009, International Human Rights Day
Contacts:
Liana Foxvog, SweatFree Communities, 413-586-0974 (office) or 413-320-7276
(cell)
Eric Sharfstein, Workers United, 646-448-6408 (office) or 917-208-6980 (cell)
Report
Exposes Poor Working Conditions at Government Contractors;
New York State to Rein in Sweatshop Suppliers
Northampton,
Mass. - Made
in USA requirements provide little insurance against poor working conditions
and low wages, according to a new report by SweatFree Communities released
today, International Human Rights Day. It contends that the federal government
should do more to ensure that the apparel it buys is made by
labor-rights-compliant contractors.
Some
states and cities have already taken action. Earlier today Governor David
Paterson announced that New York is joining the Sweatfree Purchasing
Consortium, a new organization that assists members in ridding sweatshops from
supply chains and providing incentive for ethical business practices. Initial
members are Ashland, Ore., Austin, Tex., Maine, Milwaukee, Wisc., New York,
Pennsylvania, Portland, Ore., and San Francisco, which together procure over
$50 million in apparel and textiles annually.
Governor
Paterson said: I believe that the Sweatfree Purchasing Consortium will serve
as a crucial tool in creating and maintaining standards of workplace fairness
and safety in our global economy.
Bjorn
Claeson, Executive Director of SweatFree Communities, said: Labor rights
violations are human rights violations. Today, International Human Rights Day,
we call on all government agencies, including the federal government, to join
with New York and the other pioneering members of the Consortium in ensuring
labor rights for workers who manufacture goods purchased with our tax dollars.
The
new report, Toxic Uniforms: Behind the Made in USA Label, exposes poor working conditions
at nine government contractor factories including poverty level wages, pressure
on the job, poor benefits, health and safety problems, and discrimination. Nine
of the factories are sole suppliers to Propper International and one (recently
shuttered) was a sole supplier to Eagle Industries, held by parent company
Alliant Techsystems (ATK). Propper International is the largest manufacturer of
soldiers uniforms for the U.S. Army. Eagle supplies the federal government and
New York State. While outsourcing of jobs is prevalent in the cut-and-sew
industry, as Department of Defense contractors, Eagle and Propper are required
to produce in the U.S. or its territories under the Berry Amendment. However,
as the new report shows, workers in Massachusetts and Puerto Rico, who manufacture
goods purchased with our tax dollars, are far from immune from abusive working
conditions.
Elisa
Rios, who worked at Eagles New Bedford, Mass., factory for two years said: Harassment,
fear, desperation, sadness, unhappiness, tears this is what we experienced
daily in the factory.
Maritza
Vzquez, a sewing machine operator at Proppers Lajas plant, said: I
understand that the type of labor we produce is very important because its a
job done for the U.S. military. I think we need to be more appreciated, offered
better pay and better benefits. Management should have more respect.
In
Puerto Rico workers at each of Proppers eight plants are organizing for union
representation by the labor union Workers United. While ATK closed the New
Bedford Eagle factory despite protests from the workers and politicians, a
committee of sewing machine operators and their supporters persuaded a new government
contractor, New Bedford Tactical Gear, to open in August. This week workers
voted unanimously in support of the contract negotiated between New Bedford
Tactical Gear and Workers United. The union contract provides for pay increases
to $10.60 in three years, a pension, an affordable health insurance plan, and
more. The company currently
employs fifteen former Eagle workers and is seeking additional government contracts
in order to expand and hire more of the laid-off workforce.
SweatFree
Communities
coordinates a national network of grassroots campaigns that promote humane
working conditions in apparel and other labor-intensive global industries by
working with both public and religious institutions to use institutional
purchasing as a lever for worker justice. www.sweatfree.org
The
Sweatfree Purchasing Consortium assists member governments in meeting their
goals for responsible sweatshop-free purchasing. It meets a critical need for
information about supplier factories by providing expertise and pooling
resources to monitor working conditions and enforce sweatfree procurement
standards. www.buysweatfree.org
Workers
United, SEIU
is a union of 150,000 workers in the US and Canada who work in the
manufacturing, distribution, laundry, food service, hospitality, gaming,
apparel and textile industries. www.workersunitedunion.org
A
copy of Toxic Uniforms: Behind the Made in USA Label, is available at
www.sweatfree.org/tu.
###
Top
Show All » » General
Friday, December 04, 2009Holiday Bazaar this weekend!
Marigold will be at the Queen Anne Holiday Bazaar this weekend!
The St. Anne community and Queen Anne Helpline are compassionate neighborhood groups that work on a variety of assistance programs for those in need. This festive event provides a rare opportunity for the Seattle community to tour beautiful homes and buy unique gifts with purpose, said Mary Pat Iaci, Development Program Coordinator
Top
Show All » » General
Saturday, November 28, 2009People's Summit
This weekend in Seattle marks the 10th Anniversary of the WTO protests and falls just in advance of the Climate Change Summit in Copenhagen. The People's Summit in Seattle is a series of workshops, speakers, panel discussions and film screenings on global justice and climate change.
SCHEDULE
Friday Nov 27th:
- The Yes Mens new documentary,The Yes Men Fix the World, premieres at NW Film Forum, Screenings at 7 and 9pm, Yes Men in attendance!
- Amy Goodman speaks at Town Hall! 7pm:Tickets $15 $25 available at www.kbcs.fm & at the door
Saturday Nov 28th:8:30 5pm Seattle University
8:30 am RegistrationCampion Ballroom
9:30 am: Welcome and Morning plenary
The Climate is Changing Its Time for Solutions!
Campion Ballroom
- Bob Hasegawa, WA State Representative
- Rebecca Adamson, Founder of First People'sWorldwide
- Dena Hoff, National Family Farm Coalition & Via Campesina
- David Korten,Agenda For a New Economy,Co-founder of YES! Magazine
All Workshops are in Pigott Hall
- 11:30 a.m. 1:00 p.m. Workshop Session 1
- 1:00 p.m. 2:30 p.m. Lunch Break
- 2:30 p.m. 4:00 p.m. Workshop Session 2
- 4:15 p.m. 5:45 p.m. Workshop Session 3
6pm: Dinner & Evening plenary
Reclaiming Community
New Hope Baptist Church, 116 21st Ave, Seattle
- Rev. Robert Jeffrey, Black Dollar Days Task Force
- Walter Hayden, Marketing and sales director of Clean Greens
- Alli Chagi-Starr, Green for All, Art in Action
Sunday Nov 29th: 9 5, Seattle University
9am RegistrationCampion Ballroom
9:30 WelcomeCampion Ballroom
10 11:30Workshop Session 4- Pigott Hall
11:30 12: 45 Lunch
12:45 1:45 Strategy Panel
Catch the Buzz: Cross-Pollinating our Movements
- Bill Aal and Margo Adair, Tools for Change
- Sylvia Orduo, Michigan Welfare Rights Organization and National Planning Committee, U.S. Social Forum
1:45 3:30Cross-SectorStrategy Session Part 1
2:00 3:30Workshops Session 5- Pigott Hall
3:30 5:00Cross-SectorStrategy Session Part 2
7pm: Closing Plenary: Global Justice Forward!
Town Hall, 1119 8th Ave, Seattle
- Leo Gerard, United Steel-Workers
- Patti Goldman, Earthjustice
- Eric Holt-GimenezFood First
- Thea Lee, AFL-CIO
- Jim Sinclair, BC Labour Federation
Top
Next » |
Last »» |
Records 1 to 10 of 40 |
