Apparel fair-washing is here.

We stumbled across this example of fair-washing for T-shirts, and we are compelled to share as a sort of public service announcement to fellow fair traders.

The basic point is this: a tee shirt company that clearly wants to do good in the world is claiming their shirts are "fair trade." The shirts are in no way actually "fair trade" as anyone in any part of the movement would define the term, (yes, even Fair Trade USA).

Here's a brief timeline: 

1. In 2000, Worldwide Responsible Apparel Production, (WRAP) is established after "several prominent apparel producers approached the American Apparel Manufacturers Association."

2. Contraversy follows WRAP because of this close industry connection, resulting in this quote from Making Global Self-Regulation Effective in Developing Countries. This Oxford University Press published book states:

WRAP has been criticized by a range of stakeholders for it's perceived industry bias and low level of public transparency.

3. Next Level Apparel's 2010 catalog states their factories are sweatshop-free, child-labor free, socially responsibly, and respecting the environment. They say this is because they are "WRAP certified" and "Wal-Mart approved."

4. Sevenly charity T-shirt brand says on their FAQ page, live in 2012, that they use "fair trade" T-shirts from Next Level Apparel.

What this mess looks like in print: 

We need to brag. We are so proud of the merchandise we made for this year's Sundance Film Festival. After the success of last year's festival swag, we manufactured more hats, accessories, stickers, and patches for the events beginning this Thursday the 19th.

Having an event with similar needs? Contact us for help with making quality ethical swag for you!

So often we receive calls from people who want to buy just one American union made hat. Because everything we do is custom made and we focus on the bulk market, we can't do retail items like individual hats. It's exciting when these kinds of items are available in e-stores... here is your chance to get just ONE hat! This year you have three style options for caps, and you can see the other items available below.

But first, check out this neat clip of the actual Sundance store near the festival site. Guess who made the nifty key ring?

Look for these Ethix Merch items at the Sundance Merch Store:

January's New Custom Merch - Elegant, Economical, & Practical

Happy new year! And what a year it's shaping up to be: elections, the 50th anniversary of Kennedy Legalizing public employee unions, continuation of the Occupy Movement... and who knows what else, (a shift in human consciousness?).

While historical moments are happening around the world, we have been staying the course with our mission. We want to be your ethical merchandise source. And according to the increasing inquiries we receive, we are in a place that's useful to those making history- supporting organizations at the forefront of social and environmental justice.

We are proud to have this opportunity to serve you - the changemakers - with quality ethical goods. In the upcoming year we will provide even more services and client support, so you can run your campaigns, organizations, and events with full confidence in your gear. We will continue to search for new items like the ones below so you can creatively send your message into the world.

Without much fanfare, in cities and states across the country, real change is coming. It's not the sort of change that generates headlines. It doesn't involve a paradigm-shifting election or a sweeping Supreme Court decision. But it is the sort of change that will change lives, both in the United States and across the world. And it could well be the beginning of something much bigger.

Bringing Sweatfree Values Home

I'm talking about the thrilling recent advances in the work of the Sweatfree Purchasing Consortium (SPC), an alliance of fourteen U.S. cities and states now working together to enforce laws (already on the books in their jurisdictions) that prevent them from using taxdollars to buy from sweatshops.

The consortium has been years in the works, and here's the big news: it is operational, and gathering steam on two major fronts.

First, the member governments have begun forcing their vendors to disclose the names and locations of their supplier factories.

Mitch Cahn is the founder and president of Unionwear, a leading manufacturer of apparel, headwear, bags and other products, made responsibly by union workers in the United States. Mitch is also a leader in the national anti-sweatshop movement and a tireless advocate for the idea that "happy workers are good for business."

Ethix Merch: Unionwear remains firmly planted in the United States. What about your personal background or values led you to buck the outsourcing trend? 

Mitch Cahn: I worked at Bear Stearns for a few years moving money around and found it a very unfilling career. I left there determined to add value and found manufacturing was a way I could actually create value from nothing. The reward is in the neverending challenge of continuous improvement. My personal interest is in being involved in the product development cycle, eliminating wasteful manufacturing steps and redesigning products so domestic, union labor can be used and still meet the clients' price points. I enjoy managing production so quality and service lead to reorders, then improving our production processes on those reorders, and continuing the cycle.

Ethix Merch: You have argued that "workplace satisfaction creates sustainable profits." Is this idea gaining or losing steam?

Mitch Cahn: This idea builds momentum every time the premium paid for products made by satisfied workers shrinks because businesses who reward their workers have an easier time selling their products. Worker rights as a meme continues to grow exponentially when a previously exploited worker has disposable income the additional demand creates a virtuous cycle which shifts power from employer to employee.

Unsatisfied workers now have more access to information about alternatives through social media and web access.   The growing awareness of worker rights in the third world has driven up the cost of exploitation. Rising wages in Asia have created a consumer class there which has driven up consumer demand worldwide, making raw materials and fuel more expensive. When raw materials increase differences in labor costs become less relevant. When demand for fuel grows supply chains become more localized. As production starts to return to the point of consumption, exploitation becomes less acceptable.

So employers who have prioritized workplace satisfaction have seen markets for their products grow.  Employers who have tried to squeeze labor have seen their expenses grow.

Ethix Merch: Can you share a specific example that demonstrates how Unionwear benefits from having well-paid, union workers?

While I understand their function, I am not enthusiastic about traditional heavyweight T-shirts. They're too boxy for my tastes.

At the same time, I prefer clothing you can't see through. Current fashion shirts like burnout and sheer styles are interesting... but like the boxy tees, they're just not my thing.

Fortunately, Ethix Merch offers styles and shirt-weights for everyone. We understand heavier shirts are great for durability, and fashion styles are great for younger, cooler people than I. Fortunately for me, we now have even more options for those who want something in the middle: new 5.4 oz. American Made Tees.

The TRUE American Tee

One of our favorite manufacturers, Bayside USA, named their newest style "The True American Tee," and it's true in every sense of the word.

Here's why we love them:

1. The cotton is grown, harvested, spun, knitted, dyed, and sewn in the USA in Bayside's vertical factory.

2. The broad color pallette is great for all kinds of custom printed designs.

3. With sizes from small to 4XL, they can fit a wide range of groups.

4. They come with or without pockets.

Bayside USA manufactures their complete line in America, including sweatshirts, hats, longsleeve shirts, organic and union made T-shirts, and other clothing styles. Another new style this year is their women's union made basic tee, which comes in a wide color range.

The No More Foundation is a new organization working to end slavery, hunger, sweatshops, and all injustices through a faith-based foundation. As they say on their website: 

We want to incite a revolution, a drastic and far reaching change in ways of thinking and behaving, as we stand together to make a difference in our world.  Our battle cry is simple... NO MORE!  No More Hunger and Thirst, No More Orphans, No More Slavery, No More Walking Alone... not on our watch!

Just like our clients who are Quaker, Jewish, Muslim, Universalist Unitarian, and Interfaith, this Christian group knew they needed sweatshop-free T-shirts. And because they are using the shirts to raise funds, they also needed to make sure the shirts were stylish so people would buy them.

The solution was with USA made T-shirts, manufactured in a factory that abides by anti-sweatshop laws. Since these are the shirts we use to help clients off their American Apparel habit, they had the perfect fit for the ForNoMore.org project.

What Do You Say "No More" To? 

Are you ready to take action so there's no more hunger, thirst, orphans, slavery, and hopelessness ... what is it you're standing for? There's room for all these social justice causes within the No More campaign!

We are enjoying cookies and feeling thankful for the different celebrations we have the privilege to enjoy this holiday season. As you spend time with loved ones, we hope you'll remember our appreciation for your friendship and support.

You are probably already convinced by the Ethix reason to buy local, or simply the evidence of Walmart using sweatshops, but maybe this infographic will help you definitely maintain distance from Wal-mart for last minute shopping for the holidays.

Thanks to Frugal Dad for developing this visual! Those of us in the 99% don't have the same budget as the "ethics of Walmart" marketing department, but it's through sharing information that we can change the low standard Wal-mart adheres to.

Why buy local and support local manufacturing? To help Walmart become a little healthier - it's too heavy!

The Weight of Walmart Infographic from Frugal Dad:

I was a child laborer.

My dad has a small organic garden, and when I was growing up he would ask for my help planting, weeding, and harvesting.

I didn't get paid. These were chores. Sometimes it was hot and I was tired, and he needed my help. But, I could stop if I wanted and go read a book or ride bikes with my friends.

Can you remember the first time you heard an argument for child labor?

I can. I had a friend who also grew up working on a farm. He said:

1. Children are supposed to work, otherwise how do they learn useful skills?

2. How can a family get ahead if the kids just consume resources and don't contribute anything? 

3. Culturally, it's normal all around the world for youth to pitch in with work.

4. Just because we force kids in the U.S. to attend school doesn't mean that we should force kids elsewhere to sit around if they don't have access to a school.