Progressive Christians Uniting update on LA City Council win: City of Los Angeles Enacts a Model “No Sweat” Law – Other Cities Expected to Follow
Released 11 November 2004

PCU’s Sweatshop Action Committee (SAC) salutes the passage by the Los Angeles City Council of a new “Sweat-Free Procurement” policy, the nation's most innovative and far-reaching anti-sweatshop purchasing ordinance to date. The ordinance, which builds on the international accomplishments of the anti-sweatshop movement, prohibits the city of Los Angeles from using tax dollars to procure apparel and other goods made under sweatshop conditions. Sponsored by Council Member Eric Garcetti, the measure was finally enacted on Tuesday, November 9th. PCU’s executive director, Peter Laarman, spoke at a press conference that preceded the Council session, and PCU board member (and longtime anti-sweatshop activist) Robert Miller testified during the session itself.

PCU especially thanks Tom Hayden and Erica Zeitlin of the No More Sweatshops! campaign for their outstanding leadership during this struggle. We also thank the dozens of other coalition groups that pushed the initiative. The coalition, which includes the Progressive Jewish Alliance, Sweatshop Watch, UNITE-HERE, and others, enjoyed its first victory in October 2003 when Senate Bill 578, California’s first “sweat-free” procurement ordinance, was signed into law. The Coalition’s second victory came in March 2004 when the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) passed a similar “no sweat” purchasing policy.

The L.A. city ordinance is widely expected to serve as a template for similar ordinances in other cities across the country. Right now the campaign is moving to the Bay Area, with Tom Hayden making regular visits there to help build support.

The No More Sweatshops! Campaign welcomes your support to carry the work forward.
If you can, please make out a tax-deductible check to
Global Workplace Education Fund and mail it to:
No More Sweatshops
10536 Culver Boulevard, Suite H2
Culver City, CA 90232