Tuesday, January 31, 2006
Test post
I had the wonderful opportunity this morning of interviewing Eric Odier-Fink of The Justice Clothing Company. Eric graciously gave me a bit of his time to answer some questions about Justice Clothing, Sweatshops, Unions and Fair Trade.
Show Notes:
00:24 Why did you start The Justice Clothing Company?
03:15 Working with Union Companies
06:30 Talking about American Apparel
11:00 The importance of Unions
14:45 Justice Clothing becoming a Cooperative
18:15 Dealing with your overwhelming closet full of sweatshop clothing
22:45 What's your take on Thrift Stores
26:00 Why pay more Money for fair trade clothing?
29:45 An appeal to people of Faith
Show Notes:
00:24 Why did you start The Justice Clothing Company?
- "It really started out of Frustration."
- "The US is predominately sweatshop in it's apparel production."
- 1998- Received Catalogs from Union companies (King Louie clothing, Nemisis and Windjammers)
- "Is there Anywhere in the United States for me to buy your gear?"
- "These where companies that where absolutely clean."
The idea for the Justice Clothing Company was born around 1996 when we met and, among other things, began shopping together. (from the website)
03:15 Working with Union Companies
- "We only work with Union Companies"
- Trying to work with Non-Union
- Ben and Jerry's as a Non-Union example
- Non-Union companies weren't willing to meet their conditions
06:30 Talking about American Apparel
- Attempted to work with American-Apparel
- American-Apparel's Ugly Union busting Article
- AA's Sexist and Sexual Harassment
- American Apparel makes clothes, Justice Clothing sells clothes (that union companies make).
11:00 The importance of Unions
- "Unions are the only thing responsible for prosperity in the United States."
- "Unions bring together workers who, individually, don't really have any power."
- "The only power a worker has, is to stop the work that they do."
- Eric tells the story of his grandfather being almost "worked to death."
- Why Unions improve companies and the quality of products.
14:45 Justice Clothing becoming a Cooperative
- No longer "Employer, employees."
- Expanding to others outside the business
- A few "not really for the radio" details about the Co-op.
18:15 Dealing with your overwhelming closet full of sweatshop clothing
- Don't be overwhelmed
- Find places (like Justice Clothing) where you can shop Sweatshop-Free, and Buy a few things.
- Enjoy it and buy some more.
22:45 What's your take on Thrift Stores
- Usually fronts for organizations that feed and cloth people
- It's Recycling!
- It's not contributing to the sweatshop industry
- The Balance is that people need to work and somethings will need to be bought new, That's where Justice Clothing comes in.
26:00 Why pay more Money for fair trade clothing?
29:45 An appeal to people of Faith
- "Buying sweatshop stuff is against my religion"
- "You know your buying stuff that is moral"
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