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Olympic Skiers Aren't the Only Ones in a Race to the Bottom

January 13, 2010

One of the great aspects of this new initiative is that the organizations involved have identified proactive steps companies can take to improve worker rights in their supply chains.  The recommendations cover four key areas:

   1. Develop a positive climate for freedom of association and collective bargaining;
   2. Eliminate the use of precarious employment in sportswear supply chains;
   3. Lessen both the frequency and negative impacts of factory closures; and
   4. Take steps to improve worker incomes, with the goal of reaching a living wage for all workers.

Nestlé and the Cynical Use of Certification; “Fair Trade” for Some Tiny Percentage Gives Reputational Boost

December 24, 2009

By Jeff Ballinger

Do we debate Fairtrade (Ft) labeling and marketing in the U.S.?  No, not so much – at least not compared to Britain, where it is something of a blood sport (some links below).  It may be somewhat unfair to lump Ft in with Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), but that’s the direction in which I’m presently leaning – especially since I started researching issues related to TransFair USA’s imminent launch of a pilot factory standard for clothes. 

More anti-worker Scrooges!

December 21, 2009

The Chamber has stiff competition this year from Bank of America, Hyatt Hotels, Publix Supermarkets, and Sallie Mae and Citibank.  The policies promoted by the Chamber have led to high unemployment and people working harder and for longer hours as a recent JWJ and Institute for Policy Studies report shows.

Bloggers and Twitizens: Fund anti-sweatshop organizing by shrinking your urls with 3bl.me

December 17, 2009

By Liana Foxvog, National Organizer, SweatFree Communities

Thanks to a nifty new tool from 3BL Media, you can now generate funds to support non-profits while shrinking urls with a simple click at 3bl.me.

Until January 31st, each time you use 3bl.me, 3BL Media will contribute 1 cent to be split equally among three non-profit beneficiaries, including SweatFree Communities.

When you need those lengthy urls shortened for posting on twitter or on your blog/website, please remember 3bl.me!

Climate Change, Copenhagen, and Workers

December 15, 2009

In a report released by the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP), the long-term effect of weather related changes caused by climate change has the potential to greatly impact employment.  The impacts on employment, reported by UNEP, are likely to arise “from extreme weather events such as droughts, cyclones and/or floods.  They will also arise from slower processes such as sea level rise.”  Major weather events, caused by climate change, carry with them the potential to cause damage and disrupt transportation lines and industrial infrastructure impact not only workers ability to be present at work, but also lead to the closin

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