I’m all for this:
Hartmarx, known for its Hart Schaffner & Marx and Hickey Freeman suits, and for making President Obama’s inauguration tuxedo and topcoat, has long been America’s leading clothier for men. Now its workers want to make the company, which is in bankruptcy, a leader in a different way.
Hoping to save their jobs and start a national movement, Hartmarx workers are pressuring Wells Fargo, the company’s main creditor, to approve the sale of Hartmarx to a buyer that would keep it alive instead of liquidating it, and most likely putting its celebrated labels on suits made overseas.
Seeing a political and public relations opening, the workers and their union are arguing that Wells Fargo, having received $25 billion in the bank bailout, should keep a 122-year-old American company like Hartmarx in business and preserve some 3,600 jobs.
But, we should have gotten more. Earlier this year, I argued that any bank receiving bailout money could not oppose union organizing efforts. That would have been more leverage.
And the International Labor Organization says this today:
In a new study on the patterns of forced labour worldwide, the International Labour Office (ILO) says the “opportunity cost” of coercion to the workers affected reaches over USD 20 billion per year.
The report, entitled The Cost of Coercion also details the growing number of unethical, fraudulent and criminal practices that can lead people into situations of forced labour, and calls for increased efforts to eradicate the practices.
The report also charts the significant progress on the international and national levels in reducing and preventing forced labour, but warns of the possible impact of the global economic and jobs crisis.
“Forced labour is the antithesis of decent work”, said ILO Director-General Juan Somavia. “It causes untold human suffering and steals from its victims. Modern forced labour can be eradicated, providing there is a sustained commitment by the international community, working together with government, employers, workers and civil society.”
To be honest, that number seems too low–"only" $20 billion for the entire world? If it’s anywhere close to accurate, that shows how low wages are.
