SUPPORT "SAVE THE GARMENT CENTER" AND URGE MEMBERS TO BUY AMERICAN-MADE CLOTHES

WHEREAS, the American Federation of Teachers supports garment workers and the protection of American jobs; and

WHEREAS, in 1985, there were about 500,000 garment industry jobs in New York City; today, there are only about 100,000, and

WHEREAS, there are 846 fashion companies headquartered in New York City, which is more than Paris, London and Milan combined; and

WHEREAS, the mayor of New York City is attempting to dismantle the Garment Center, displace garment workers, and replace them with shiny office towers; and

WHEREAS, the Garment Center is a microcosm of what is happening in America as a whole, with the loss of jobs overseas; and

WHEREAS, if consumers spent an extra 1 percent on U.S.-manufactured goods, it would create 200,000 jobs; and

WHEREAS, many famous American designers have become activists to preserve the community and the Garment Center for future design students; and

WHEREAS, designers and manufacturers are aware that they could make a product cheaper by sending patterns and designs to other countries, thereby losing American jobs, quality products and manufacturing control; and

WHEREAS, when the consumer buys from a designer that keeps its supplier and dollars in the United States, it sends a powerful message:

RESOLVED, that the American Federation of Teachers will support the labor and community effort known as "Save the Garment Center" (SaveTheGarmentCenter.org) to have U.S. dollars recirculated instead of being sent to other countries; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT will communicate this support to its members, through its website and publications.