TAKING FATE INTO THEIR OWN HANDS

Here the story changes. The Street Beat workers from Brooklyn did not wait for another compliance agreement to be signed. They organized together with the support of other garment workers from the Chinese Staff & Workers' Association and other young workers from the National Mobilization Against SweatShops. We came together as working people to fight not only for the StreetBeat workers' owed wages, but also for their reinstatement to their jobs. We demanded that Sears commit to ensuring that 100 per cent of its goods be produced in law-abiding factories. To prevent them from moving work away in retaliation against our organizing, we also demanded that the company make sure that 75 per cent of its goods be produced in local communities. Standing up to harassment, threats and blacklisting, these workers succeeded in winning almost $300,000 from Street Beat.

Mrs. Lai, the DKNY worker from another factory, supported this battle. Inspired, she decided to expose and fight the cruel and discriminatory practices at her unionized mid-town factory. Her courage emboldened other DKNY workers - Olga, Maria, Fanny, Lupe, Lilia, Ruth and another Maria - who have now stepped forward.

These women are now fighting for their jobs back and their owed overtime pay. They are also demanding that DKNY re-open her factories, and ensure that its women workers will no longer suffer harassment and that it will no longer close factories when workers speak up for their rights. Last, the workers are demanding that DKNY commit to producing all of its clothing under legal conditions.

On to..."Why Target Retailers?"
Back to About Ain't I a Woman?!