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Whereas, Pittsburgh has a rich history as a city at the forefront of examining the moral issues related to worker treatment in an industrialized economy and as a place where the rights of labor are passionately protected; and
Whereas, "sweatshop" conditions, which include poverty wages, forced overtime, unsafe working conditions, firings and blacklisting in response to attempts to organize unions, mandatory pregnancy tests, firings for pregnancy, and other violations of women's rights, are so widespread in the apparel industry that they could be considered the norm and not the exception; and
Whereas, the City of Pittsburgh and the State of Pennsylvania have adopted sweatshop-free procurement policies, which correctly reflect the values of our city and state; and
Whereas, there is an "academic standard" of sweatshop accountability supported by over 160 universities nationwide, including Carnegie Mellon University; and
Whereas, there are many well known companies and organizations that are very closely linked to Pittsburgh in the mind of the public and have benefited from the continuous support of this city. These institutions should be expected to behave in such a way that is consistent with the morals and values of the people who provided them with the opportunity to succeed.
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NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh, does urge all organizations that are part of the Pittsburgh community to commit themselves to eliminating the use and sale of products that were produced in sweatshop conditions.