Buy Union Week Begins Today

by James Parks, Nov 24, 2006

With America’s consumers set to spend as much as $60 billion for holiday gifts, the AFL-CIO and its affiliated unions want to make sure that shoppers know where they can find quality union-made gifts of apparel, computer and related equipment, consumer electronics, books and hundreds of other products.

That’s why the Union Label and Service Trades Department (UL&STD) launched an early preview of the ShopUnionMade website just in time for the holiday shopping season. The UL&STD launched the website, which lists union-made products and services, to coincide with the beginning of Buy Union Week, Nov. 24–Dec. 3.

Says UL&STD President Charles Mercer:

The Nov. 24 “early launch” is a special “get acquainted” period for the many thousands of union activists who have been clamoring for more and better information about the availability of union-made goods. The actual roll-out date for the general public is set for Spring 2007.

You also can find a wide assortment of quality union-made-in-the-USA gear and gifts at The Union Shop Online,™ from books to baby bibs. The Union Shop Online also features holiday cards that are justice-inspired and union printed. 

Last year, delegates to the AFL-CIO Convention designated the 10 days after Thanksgiving as “Buy Union Week” to harness the buying power of union wages. The resolution called on affiliates to use “all available means” to promote the purchase of union-made goods and services.

Mercer notes:

…it gets harder every day to seek out union products and services. It’s a moving target with some goods that were produced here last month bearing a “Made in China” label this month. It does make a difference when union families tell merchants they want to see a union label before they buy.

This year, as in previous years, union families can download a certificate to leave with merchants saying: “I shop for union goods because I care about America.” To download copies of the certificate, click here or contact your state federations or central labor council.

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