:: rawblogXport ::

:: Sunday, November 30, 2003 ::

Buy American? It takes effort By Gary Gosselin
Buying gifts stamped MADE in USA, however, may not be easy. More than 50 percent of all manufactured goods sold in this country are imported.

Unions, however, are trying to make the process easier, publicizing Buy Union Week, Nov. 29 through Dec. 7 with ads, promotions and resources, such as Web sites www.nosweatshop.com and www.justiceclothing.com, which list companies that offer American-made products.

'You can fill 10 shopping carts with union-made gifts through these companies,' said AFL-CIO President John Sweeney in a statement kicking off the event. 'You could shop all day at any mall in the U.S. and have problems filling even one cart with U.S. union-made goods. That's an indication of how bad the economy is for U.S. workers, but here is a chance for us to start turning things around.'

Take the Sweat(shop) Out of Holiday Shopping AFL-CIO

Buy Union Buy Canadian British Columbia Union Label Trades Council
'I am a union worker and I shall not undermine the welfare of my fellow brothers and sisters. Canadian working people laboured too long and too hard for me to destroy their gains by purchasing non-union.'

'I am a trade unionist and refuse to reward those who have opposed my existence and way of life. I will not permit my union-earned dollars to penetrate the walls of those establishments where a union card is the same as a 'No Vacancy' or 'Not Welcome'. As a person who believes in the dignity and rights of people, before I buy I shall look for the Union Label, Shop Card or Service Button. In so doing I will strengthen the security of men and women who believe as I do in the goals of a free labour movement. Buy Union Buy Canadian.'

'I am a union family person who has been blessed with a decent living. I have come to enjoy better things because of the devotion, dedication and the desire of those before me who laboured to provide a standard of living unparalleled in the world. I shall not destroy all their efforts and render helpless all the causes they so earnestly fought to win for workers.'

'I am a member of organized labour and will never forget I would not be able to purchase the amount of products I do without a union job and, therefore, common sense and a deep commitment to the ideals of our movement and demand that I purchase those products which will further our cause.'

'I will support and strengthen my fellow brothers and sisters by using a simple tool -- The Label Golden Rule -- Buy Union Products and Use Union Services as You Would Have Union Wages Paid Unto You!'

posted 10:43 AM :: reference link :: 0 comments ::

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