New York, N.Y. -- Rocky Chin, District 1 City Council Candidate, today called upon City Council Members to override Mayor Giuliani's override of the Anti-Sweatshop bill. For years, Rocky has been a leader in the fight against sweatshops. Rocky's strong and forceful advocacy for an override of the Mayor's Anti-Sweatshop bill veto is just another example of his commitment to stamp-out sweatshops in New York City. Rocky led chants of "No More Sweatshops!" at a rally of hundreds of members of a coalition including members of UNITE (Union of Needletrades, Industrial & Textile Employees) and other unions and anti-sweatshop groups.
"The Mayor's veto demonstrates a blatant disregard for workers' rights. It ignores sound policies intended to protect men and women struggling to make a living," said Rocky. "I know that with sensible legislation such as the Anti-Sweatshop bill we can protect workers' rights and provide hope for the future. The City Council must override the Mayor's veto!"
The "Anti-Sweatshop" Bill, sponsored by District 1 City Council Member Kathryn E. Freed and Council Speaker Peter F. Vallone, sets strict workplace and wage standards for municipal contracts awarded to garment and textile manufacturer/contractors. "While unions have always existed to advocate on behalf of workers' rights, the government must do its part and pass meaningful legislation to protect those rights. I applaud the efforts of Council Member Freed, Speaker Vallone and other Council members sponsoring the 'Anti-Sweatshop' Bill."
"I want to take my years of fighting and advocating on behalf of workers to the City Council. If elected to the City Council, I'll introduce common-sense legislation like the "Anti-Sweatshop bill to make sure that government fights against the injustices that occur in sweatshops, rather than turning a blind eye to those injustices."
