In the fall of 2000 a group of community members made up of students, local activists, union members and faith groups began meeting to address the issue of sweatshops in the garment industry. This community group has taken the name, South Sound Clean Clothes Campaign.

The issue of garment workers who work under repressive management, unsafe working conditions, and less than living wages has been well documented. The mission of the SSCCC is take action on a local level to address these abuses which occur on a global level.

To this end, on December 18, 2001, the SSCCC presented to the Olympia City Council a proposed resolution which would require the City to purchase items of apparel from responsible and ethical contractors whenever possible. A full copy of the proposed resolution and supporting documentation is enclosed for your review.

The SSCCC respectfully requests your support of this resolution by completing and returning the enclosed statement of endorsement. The olympia City Council will be considering further action on this Resolution at their April 24 Budget Committee meeting. Anyone interested in helping out can do so by taking the following steps:

Use this article to help formulate a Cover Letter and Statement of Endorsement. For example, if you are sending this information from a local organization the cover letter could say: (Name of organization) after reviewing the Resolution Establishing Guidelines to Address the Purchase of Items of Apparel, Textile, and Related Products from Responsible and Ethical Contractors urges the Olympia City Council to enact the Resolution at the earliest opportunity.

In addition, should you wish to become more involved in this effort, we meet on the first Wednesday of each month at Traditions Fair Trade, 300 5th Ave SW, Olympia. There is much work to be accomplished and new members are always welcome. Should you have any questions, feel free to contact SSCCC members Dick Meyer at 352-4858 or Don Lane at 866-7174 and check out the website at www.traditionsfairtrade.com.

Some Details of the Resolution

Section 1. Whenever possible, the City of Olympia will purchase items of apparel, footwear, textiles, and related products from responsible and ethical manufacturers who operate in accordance with established codes of corporate conduct regarding wages, workplace health and safety, forced labor, child labor, and freedom of association, as embodied in United Nations (U.N.) and International Labor Organization (I.L.O.) conventions.

Section 2. All requests for bid on such items shall include a statement of the City's policy regarding such purchases.

Section 3. The Purchasing Agent shall submit a series of questions to bidders on items of apparel, footwear, textiles, and related products designed to determine the manufacturing facilities in which the products under consideration are made, to ascertain working conditions at these manufacturing facilities, and to demonstrate that working conditions are of concern in the City's purchasing decisions.

Section 4. At the time of bid consideration by the Finance Committee, the City's Purchasing Agent shall provide to the Committee information received on the working conditions of the manufacturers from whom the goods may be received. The source of this information may be the manufacturer, the distributor from whom the goods are purchased, reputable national and international organizations, well documented media reports, and local groups with concerns in this area. The Finance Committee shall take this information into account in evaluating the bids received and making any bid awards.

Section 5. The Purchasing Department shall review its past purchases to determine which goods in these categories purchased by the City over the past year are manufactured or produced by firms that have violated international standards of labor rights or human rights as determined by a suitable and bona fide international body such as the International Labor Organization of the United Nations. Such review may also include pertinent information on the manufacturers of these goods from other reputable sources, including those outlined in Section 5 above. The Purchasing Department shall report its findings to the Finance Committee of the Olympia City Council by (date)

Section 6. This Resolve shall remain in effect until (date) Prior to that date, the Finance Committee shall review the effectiveness of this policy in assisting the City in purchasing covered goods from responsible and ethical manufacturers and any impact which this policy may have on the ability of the city to purchase such items at competitive prices.