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A Resolution of the County of Allegheny, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, requesting that the Chief Executive work with Council to draft a revised anti sweatshop ordinance requiring the collection of factory locations and wage data prior to entering into contracts for apparel procurement, participate fully and to represent our community assertively in the “SweatFree Purchasing Consortium” of school districts, cities, counties and states, and encouraging participants in the Workers Rights Consortium to present the Consortium's findings to other institutions throughout the region.
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Whereas, Allegheny County Council has previously adopted an anti sweatshop Code of Conduct for factories from which it procures and that these standards embody our high standards for workers rights and concern for the Human Rights of workers everywhere.
Whereas, the recent publication of Subsidizing Sweatshops and its discussion of Rocky Brands Apparel and the Genfort factory in China demonstrate the need for the County to collect factory locations and wage data prior to entering into apparel procurement agreements; and
Whereas, demonstrates our need to participate in a contract with an Independent Monitor. This contract is being developed by the PA Department of General Services is currently developing a mechanism by which the County's investigative resources could be pooled with school districts, cities, counties and other states; and
Whereas, the Council recognizes that Carnegie Mellon University, Carlow College, and Duquesne University have leveraged their licensing agreements to protect the rights of workers sewing collegiate apparel and that they have done so, in part, by joining the Workers Rights Consortium;
The Council of the County of Allegheny hereby resolves as follows:
Section 1. Allegheny County Council hereby requests that the Chief Executive work with Council to draft a revised anti sweatshop ordinance requiring the collection of factory locations and wage data prior to entering into contracts for apparel procurement, and further urges the Executive to participate fully and to represent our community assertively in the “SweatFree Purchasing Consortium” of school districts, cities, counties and states. The legislative proposal we are requesting should also authorize a 1% fee on apparel contacts that will be our contribution to the pool of funding for an Independent Monitor.
Section 2. County Council hereby encourages colleges and universities participating in the Workers Rights Consortium to work together to present the findings of the Consortium to other institutions involved in the procurement and licensing of apparel in Allegheny County.
Section 4. Severability. If any provision of this Resolution shall be determined to be unlawful, invalid, void or unenforceable, then that provision shall be considered severable from the remaining provisions of this Resolution which shall be in full force and effect.
Section 5. Repealer. Any Resolution or Ordinance or part thereof conflicting with the provisions of this Resolution is hereby repealed so far as the same affects this Resolution.
PRIMARY SPONSOR: VICE PRESIDENT MARTONI
CO-SPONSORS:
Enacted in Council, this _________day of ________________________, 2009
Council Agenda No._____________________
_______________________________
Rich Fitzgerald
President of Council
Attest: ________________________________
Allegheny County Council
Chief Executive Office _________________________________, 2009
Approved: ___________________________________
Dan Onorato
Chief Executive
Attest: __________________________________
Donna Beltz
Executive's Secretary