Ben Davis Workers' Victory!

Ben Davis Workers Unanimously Ratify First Contract; Ben Davis Clothes are Proudly Union-Made in the USA !

info rmation for this alert comes from UNITE HERE, for more background info , see http://www.campaignforlaborrights.org/alerts/2004/june20-bendavis.htm
Posted December 16, 2004

Thank you for your letters this summer in support of the workers at Ben Davis Inc, who were able to sign and ratify a contract with their employer this week.

In an exciting campaign victory, one hundred Ben Davis workers in San Francisco ratified their first contract with UNITE HERE. This agreement provides a substantial average wage increase, reinstates generous vacation provisions, and decreases employees' share of health care premiums. The workers, all 1 st generation immigrants from China and Mexico , voted unanimously for the contract.

Contract negotiations broke down in March 2003 over wages and benefits. Organized labor led a strong national campaign that brought the company back to the bargaining table in November, including thousands of messages through email activism, a threatened boycott by the presidents of the Carpenters, Laborers and Firefighters, and strong public support in San Francisco .

In the end, Ben Davis negotiated a solid, fair contract with the workers. The next time you buy work clothes, look for the Ben Davis label: it keeps labor strong!