Title: FW: Urgent Request Just Garments
Yikes! - Katherine
------ Forwarded Message
From: Kate McCormack <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Date: Fri, 9 Dec 2005 12:12:37 -0800 (PST)
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Urgent Request Just Garments
Dear Friends and Family,
I am writing to tell you all about an urgent and upsetting situation. Just Garments, the first and only unionized textile factory in El Salvador, will most likely be forced to close at the end of this year. This is a major blow not only for the workers of Just Garments but for the workers rights movement in El Salvador and the international anti-sweatshop movement. Just Garments sits at the top of a very short list of garment factories worldwide that we know to be places of dignified work that respect human and labor rights. JG was one of the few beacons of hope in an otherwise desperate situation- over 90% of any clothing items we buy are produced in appalling conditions for the people that make them given the continual battle for lower prices and higher profits for major corporations.
The closure of Just Garments represents for the moment the victory of the sweatshop model. This model ultimately is unsustainable but we face a long battle in bringing about an international culture of respect for workers rights. Just Garments has faced opposition from its inception from governments and other maquilas and yet they have made it this far. There is still small hope that Just Garments can survive and for that reason I am writing. They are accepting individual or organizational donations through a non profit in San Fransisco. I would ask all of you as we near the holiday season to make a contribution for the future of Just Garments and the towards the future of building alternatives to corporate exploitation. Just Garments also has a written business plan and if any of you have any connections or would be interested yourselves in financing JG in the form of a loan or other more major contribution please contact me as soon as possible for a copy of the plan and more information.
Thank you all in advance for your support. The direct report from Just Garments is attached below. Please email with any questions or ideas. Also see the website for more information www.justgarments.net <http://www.justgarments.net/>
Sincerely,
Kate McCormack
Dear Friends of Just Garments,
We are writing you today to let you know that, as a result of unavoidable debts and payment owed to our faithful workers, Just Garments finds itself facing a possible shut down at the end of this year.
Since the Tainan struggle in 2002 which led to the creation of Just Garments, we have dealt with countless challenges and roadblocks and have done everything in our power to ensure the factorys survivalsomething that is important not only for the workers who depend on their salaries, but for the entire movement that is working hard to create sweat-free alternatives.
The possibility of a shut down comes despite the fact that there are a number of exciting possibilities around the corner for Just Garments and that we have received a great deal of international support. These efforts include our break the chain campaign which would allow the factory to produce t-shirts that carry a Just Garments label. Also, United Students Against Sweatshops has added Just Garments to its list of designated suppliers for the collegiate market. And in addition, many efforts are being made to encourage the Superior Uniform Group to increase their production at Just Garments.
To read more about the break the chain t-shirt campaign, click here:
http://www.justgarments.net/support/support.htm <http://www.justgarments.net/support/support.htm>
To read more about the United Students Against Sweatshops new campaign, click here:
http://www.studentsagainstsweatshops.org/campaigns/sweatfree_main.php <http://www.studentsagainstsweatshops.org/campaigns/sweatfree_main.php>
To read more about efforts to negotiate with Superior, click here:
http://www.justgarments.net/support/support.htm <http://www.justgarments.net/support/support.htm>
Just Garments and the STIT union join together in making an urgent request for financial support to help us through this difficult time. In order to finish the year, the factory needs $20,000. This amount would allow us not only to pay our workers, but to pay the most urgent debts and keep operations going until we are able to raise the funds that will allow us to begin independent t-shirt production
Tax-deductible donations can be made to through the organization Activist San Diego. Please see the instructions below for making a donation.
We hope that you will carefully consider our request. Your support is vital to the survival of Just Garments.
Tax-deductible donations can be made to Just Garments through the organization Activist San Diego. Please reply to this email to let us know when you have sent your donation!
Send checks made payable to Activist San Diego (put STIT-Just Garments in the memo line) to:
Activist San Diego
4246 Wightman St
San Diego, CA 92105-2618
619-528-8383
[EMAIL PROTECTED] <http://us.f320.mail.yahoo.com/ym/[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To make an on-line donation go to:
http://www.activistsandiego.org/ <http://www.activistsandiego.org/>
Go to donate now: secure donations by groundspring.org
Be sure to fill in the fields as follows:
-- I'd like to make this donation on behalf of: STIT-Just Garments
-- Please send acknowledgement of this gift to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <http://us.f320.mail.yahoo.com/ym/[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Whether you donate by check or on-line, please send us a note at [EMAIL PROTECTED] <http://us.f320.mail.yahoo.com/ym/[EMAIL PROTECTED]> to let us know of your support!
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------ End of Forwarded Message
[ftaadelegation] FW: Urgent Request Just Garments
kates-chinoy, katherine or dennis Sat, 10 Dec 2005 08:00:45 -0800
