SF Mayor Shows Interest in Sweatfree Ordinance

SF MAYOR NEWSOM SIGNALS INTEREST IN MODEL SWEATFREE ORDINANCE,
OTHER BAY AREA GOVERNMENTS COULD FOLLOW



SAN FRANCISCO. Mayor Gavin Newsom has directed San Francisco procurement officials
to begin crafting a sweatfree approach to the city/county’s purchasing procedures.
Initial talks between anti-sweatshop advocates and local officials began this week,
and could affect as much as one billion dollars yearly in total purchasing
decisions. Campaigners are planning to lobby the Board of Supervisors next month.

After meeting last month with former state Sen. Tom Hayden, a director of No More
Sweatshops, Mayor Newsom promised to assign administration officials to begin the
dialogue. Taking part in this week’s follow-up discussions with procurement
officials were Sen. Hayden, Global Exchange’s Valerie Orth and UNITE/HERE’s Jason
Oringer. The New College will sponsor weekly workshops on local activism and the
global economy by Sen. Hayden which are expected to recruit a network of interns as
well. Also involved in the growing drive is the Oakland Institute under the
direction of Anuradha Mittal.

With its progressive culture and status, San Francisco could establish the best
standards and enforcement in the country so far, and be a model for the entire Bay
Area. Initial discussions with Berkeley and Oakland officials already have begun.

Momentum for the Bay Area initiative has increased since passage of a landmark
ordinances by the Los Angeles city council and board of education earlier this year.
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For more information, please call Erica Zeitlin at No More Sweatshops! 310 559-9522
ext. 4.