SAMPLE POLICY--ADAPT FOR LOCAL USE

A PURCHASING POLICY OF "INFORMED CHOICE"

Whereas legislation was signed by Governor George Pataki on September 3, 2001 that "grants school boards the power to make informed choices when purchasing school apparel,"

Whereas the Governor said this new legislation "strengthens our fight to protect workers and ensure that taxpayer dollars spent by our schools won't go to manufacturers who refuse to comply with appropriate labor standards,"

Whereas members of the Senate and Assembly of New York State voted unanimously to move such legislation to the Governor, adding their voices to New York's ongoing battle against sweatshops and unfair labor practices,

Whereas this legislation provides a vehicle for New York's boards of education to join others committed to eradicating sweatshops and child labor from the face of the earth,

Be it resolved that the ______________________________________________________

(board of education) adopt a policy of "informed choice" when purchasing apparel, requiring this board of education to award apparel contracts after consideration of the labor standards used in the manufacture of the apparel;

Be it further resolved that this board of education adopt as policy the requirement that along with monetary bids, information about labor standards applicable to the manufacture of apparel at all stages of manufacture and production (such as, but not limited to, employee compensation, working conditions, employee rights to form unions, and the use of child labor) be provided to the school administrator and school board;

Be it further resolved that this policy applies to items of apparel such as, but not limited to, sport and band uniforms, shoes, graduation gowns, maintenance uniforms, laboratory gowns, and logo-bearing items such as caps and sweatshirts.