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Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
For more information call: 202/219-7317 ext. 118
From the makers and retailers of blue jeans to cocktail
dresses, surgicalwear to underwear, tie-dye tee-shirts to bow ties, some of the
most recognizablenames in the American fashion and apparel trade are taking a
stand againstsweatshops, according to U.S. Labor Secretary Robert B. Reich.
Just in time for theholiday shopping season, the Labor Department today
released the 1996 TrendsetterList--a directory of garment manufacturers and
retailers that take additional steps toensure their goods are not made in
sweatshop conditions.
"Knowledge is power and this holiday season our Trendsetter
Listempowers consumers to make buying choices they can feel good about," Reich
said. "To make the list, it is not enough to say that you are against
sweatshops and thatyou deplore the exploitation of American garment workers.
You've got to act on it."
Companies named to the list are: Army Air Force
Exchange Services(operators of Purse Exchanges and Base
Exchanges); Baby Superstores (national retailer);C.I. Castro
(makers of C.I. Castro, Jayne Copeland and Cookie Crunchers
labels); CarsonPirie Scott (operates the following department stores:
Carson Pirie Scott, Boston Stores,Bergner's); Cee Sportswear
(makers of Cee Sport); Chorus Line (manufactures thefollowing
labels: All That Jazz, Molly Malloy, Jazz Kids, More Jazz, Jazz Sport);
GerberChildrenswear (sells under the Gerber and Curity
labels); Jerell Inc. (manufacturers thefollowing labels: Ali Myles,
Stoneridge, Melissa, Stephanie Thomas, Sandra S., LindseyScott, Victoria
Morgan); Jessica McClintock (retailer and manufacturer of
JessicaMcClintock, Gunne Sax, Scott McClintock); Jones Apparel Group
(retailer and maker of Jones NY, Jones NY Sport, Jones & Company,
Jones Studio, Jones NY Suits, Jones NY Dress,Rena Rowan for Saville, Evan
Picone, Lauren Ralph Lauren); Kellwood RobertScott/David Brooks
Division and DeCorp Division (manufacturer and retailer);
L.L.Bean (manufacturer and retailer); Lambchop (licenses and
markets the Kathie LeeGifford label); Lands End (retailer); and
Levi Strauss and Company (operates Levi'sOnly Stores and
Docker's Only Stores and manufacturer of Levi's, Dockers,
Brittania,Slates).
The list also includes Liz Claiborne (retailer:
Liz Claiborne Stores,Dana Buchman Stores, Elisabeth Stores, Claiborne Stores
for Men, and manufacturer: LizClaiborne Collection, Liz Sport, LizWear,
LizNight, Liz Claiborne Dresses, Dana Buchman,dana b. and karen, Elisabeth, Liz
& Co., Claiborne for Men, Emma James, Russ, First Issue,Villager);
Malco Modes (manufacturer); NFL Properties (NFL team licenser);
NicoleMiller (manufacturer of the Nicole Miller label and
operator of Nicole Miller Stores);Nordstrom (retailer);
Patagonia (retailer: Patagonia Stores and
manufacturer:Patagonia); Podell Industries Inc. (manufacturer:
Laundry by Shelly Siegel and ShellySiegal and retailer:
Laundry Stores); Quiksilver (maker of Quiksilver, Que, Pirates
Surf,Raison, Leiani, Radio Fiji, Roxy, QSD); Reebok International
Ltd. (retailer: Reebok Stores and manufacturer: Reebok, The
Rockport Company, Greg Norman); and Superior Surgical Manufacturing
(Fashion Seal Uniforms, Worklon, Appel Uniforms, Martins Uniforms,Universal
Cottons, Superior Surgical International).
Other Trendsetters are: Talbot's (retailer:
Talbot's Stores andmanufacturer: Talbot's); The Gap
(stores and labels include: The Gap, GapKids,BabyGap, Banana Republic, Old
Navy Clothing Company); The Limited (stores and labels include:
Express, Lerner, Lane Bryant, The Limited, Henri Bendel, Structure,
Abercrombieand Finch, The Limited Too, Gaylans Trading Company, Victoria Secret
Stores and Catalogue, Bath and Body Works, Cacique, Penhaligon's); Third
Generation(manufacturer); VF Corporation (operates VF Factory
Outlet, and makes Wrangler, Lee,Riders, Rustler, Marithe & Francois
Girbaud, Cutler's, Jantsen, Jansport, Bassett-Walker,Vanity Fair, Vassarette,
Lou, Healthtex, Red Kap, Lee Sport, Big Ben, Bolero, Intima Cherry,Carina,
Variance, Gemma, Siltex, Nutmeg, Maverick); and Warnaco (operates
Olga/Warner Stores, and manufactures Warners, Olga, Calvin Klein
Lingerie, ValentinoIntimo, Scassi, Van Raalte, White Stag, Fruit of the Loom,
Speedo, Chaps by Ralph Lauren,Calvin Klein, Hathaway, Catalina lines).
"It is not easy to get on this list," said Reich, "so the
31 companies representing more than 115 apparel lines and thousands of retail
stores across the country deserve to be called Trendsetters."
The list is based on information provided by the companies
about their voluntary efforts to ensure that their goods are made in compliance
with labor laws. To be a Trendsetter, companies must: demonstrate a
commitment to labor laws; cooperate with law enforcement agencies when
violations of the law are found;educate suppliers regarding the Fair Labor
Standards Act; and regularly monitor their cutting and sewing contractors and
subcontractors.
Guess? Inc., a Trendsetter from last year
has been placed on probation. The department has concluded that the company's
monitoring program is ineffective and will review it again within 60 days to
determine Guess' future status as a Trendsetter.
Many of the Trendsetters have demonstrated their
commitment to eradicating sweatshops in a variety of ways, including:
establishing and enforcing codes of conduct; providing remedial assistance to
suppliers to improve compliance; offering training programs for suppliers; and
conducting regular site visits of suppliers before and during a contract
arrangement.
Consumer groups, socially responsible investors and
religious leaders applauded the list. Linda Golodner, president of the National
Consumers League said, "the Trendsetter List is a valuable tool for
consumers who want to make smart and ethical buying decisions this holiday
season. There is no joy in giving if holiday gifts are produced by exploited
workers."
Said Steve Schueth, president of the Social Investment
Forum, "garment manufacturers and retailers that go the extra mile and do more
than just talk the talk when it comes to eradicating sweatshops should be
recognized, and consumers should know who they are--not just during the holiday
shopping season but throughout the year."
"Mistreating workers is an affront to God, humanity and
decency, "said Rabbi David Saperstein, director of the Religious Action Center
of Reform Judaism, "and garment sweatshops exist today in the dark corners of
the work world. But the glare of profit has not blinded the retailers and
manufacturers on this list. In this industry, it is often too easy and too
attractive to be greedy and uncaring. The leaders of these companies have
chosen a higher and better path to take."
The Trendsetter List is not a directory of where to
shop and inclusion is not an endorsement by the department. According to Maria
Echaveste, administrator of the department's Wage and Hour Division, "the list
is an ongoing Department of Labor program and any company interested in joining
the list is encouraged to contact the department. We hope to have many, many
more names on the list in the coming months."
In conjunction with the release of the Trendsetter
List, Reich also unveiled a new public service print ad designed to educate
consumers about what they can do to stop sweatshops. The print ad, entitled "Is
There An Ugly Stain On The Clothes You're Buying?" will be distributed to
newspapers and magazines across the country, as well as to advocacy groups,
religious organizations and labor unions for inclusion in their publications.
Reich noted that the holiday shopping season is an
excellent time for consumers to get involved in the "No Sweat" initiative and
suggested that they start by asking retailers the following questions:
- How does your company know that the garments it sells are free of
sweatshop labor?
- What assurance does the company have from its private label
contractors or its brand-name manufacturers that they are not contracting with
sweatshops?
- Does your company independently monitor garment manufacturers to
avoid buying from sweatshops?
- When notified by the Labor Department that its vendors or
contractors are breaking the law, what action does your company take?
Reich said that when consumers ask these questions for the
first time, sales people may not have the answers. But when asked the second
and third time and when thousands of other consumers ask as well--there will be
answers.
He added consumers interested in learning more about the
"No Sweat" initiative should contact the U.S. Department of Labor or visit the
department's Internet web site at www.dol.gov. Click on to the "No Sweat Hot
Button" for the most current information, including the Trendsetter
List, Quarterly Garment Enforcement Reports, speeches, press releases,
public service announcements andadditional suggestions for ways consumers can
get involved.
Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
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