The anti-sweatshop movement encourages consumers to shop with a conscience and buy goods made under fair labor conditions. The organizations listed below have compiled the following buying guide, representing a sampling of sweatshop-free apparel products currently available on the market.
The products offered by the retailers and suppliers below are made by workers in the United States and around the world who are organized into democratic unions or worker-owned cooperatives. They have achieved or are striving towards:
Healthy and safe working conditions.
Wages and benefits sufficient to support their families' basic needs.
Treatment with respect, dignity, and justice.
Freedoms to organize and collectively bargain and decide workplace policies.
You can support their struggles by purchasing the products they make.
No Sweat, the 1st international union made brand, carries sneakers, sox, sweats, camis, yoga pants, oxfords, khakis, PJs, jackets, caps, scarves, denim and more!
Union Jeans has a wide selection of your everyday needs including denim shirts. Their workers are members of UFCW Local 1099.
Justice Clothing is a one-stop shop for union-made and sweatshop free apparel. They are constantly on the hunt for new lines, styles, and manufacturers who meet their strict criteria, and hope to add an expanded line of products in the near future, including linens, dishes, flatware and more.
Protexall is one of the only union made uniform companies around. Talk to your boss about making an order for everyone at work. They also carry a line of casual men's wear, including pants, shirts, and jackets. Their workers are members of UNITE HERE Local 920.
Leather Coats Etc. is your home for leather outerwear and accessories. Check out the USA Union Made section at LeatherCoatsEtc.com. Their workers are members of UNITE HERE Local 73.
DeMoulin Brothers is an an all-union manufacturer who make band uniforms, as well as formal men's wear, including tuxedo pants, jackets, shirts, and bow ties. Their workers are members of UNITE HERE Local 546.
Ben Davis has been a union manufacturer of work wear and work fashions in San Francisco since 1935. Their workers are members of UNITE HERE Local 101.
Nueva Vida is a worker owned co-op in Nicaragua which produces t-shirts and camisoles for Maggie's Organics. Get your fix of organic and tye dye at OrganicClothes.com.
Fuerza Unida was founded by former Levi's workers in San Antonio, Texas. They formed a unique women's sewing cooperative that makes and silk screens t-shirts, canvas bags and flags.
Global Exchange's Fair Trade stores feature products such as clothing, accessories, crafts, jewelry, coffee, and chocolate from over 40 countries - with fair prices for consumers and fair prices paid to producers.
Operating according to Fair Trade Criteria, Global Exchange implements the principles of socially and economically responsible business. Please note that, for a limited time only, some of Global Exchange's T-shirts are made by American Apparel. Because American Apparel's workers are not organized as a worker-owned cooperative or a democratic union, the company does not meet the standards established for this holiday promotion.
For more INFORMATION about the factories that make the products sold by the retailers above, visit the Clean Clothes Connection.
More UNION MADE PRODUCTS can be found at www.ShopUnionMade.org.
Download a FLYER with this information and share it with friends and family.
The following organizations have endorsed this webpage (so give them some love):