We are a group of student activists who want to encourage our bookstore to reflect our progressive values by stocking ethical and sustainable UCLA apparel and other merchandise. Students have the power to vote with their dollars and make sure that our UCLA merchandise isn’t made with exploited labor, or unsustainable manufacturing techniques.
Buy Your Values, UCLA is dedicated to using social media, webinars, and in-class lectures to educate student organizations and departments on the history of exploited garment works, and offer them alternative ethical companies they can choose from to help create a stronger economy that works for all.
STANDARDS
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Wages and Benefits
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We want regionally-specific wages and benefits across the supply chain that ensure all workers have access to provide for themselves and their families.
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Worker Health and Safety
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We want demonstrated adherence to cross-national agreements and reporting through the supply chain.
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Worker Voice and Democracy
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We want open communication with free associations of workers, cooperation with unions, or the support of alternative firm structures such as cooperatives.
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Sustainability
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We want zero waste, carbon neutrality, and other practices important to a cleaner garment industry.
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Transparency
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We understand the current disclosure system, and want further cooperation with said system through the Worker Rights Consortium.
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Monitoring and Enforcement
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We understand there is a system which needs further support, so we encourage stronger efforts to cut companies that do not measure up to standards.
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RESOURCES
Our Labor Standards Document
Rooting Economic Change
What’s next in apparel sourcing?
Tailored Wages Report by Clean Clothes Campaign
Aligning Purchasing with Mission and Values at Catholic Institutions
SOCIAL MEDIA
PAST EVENTS
We were honored to be on this panel! Thank you to the Garment Worker Center for putting on the event, and to the endorsing organizations, UCLA Labor Center, Student Labor Advocacy Project, United Students Against Sweatshops, FAST at UCLA, Unravel, and Refine LA. Thank you to the facilitators, Sophia from Unravel and Eden from Refine LA. Thank you to the fellow panelists Sara Mora a.k.a. @misssaramora on IG, Diana Ibarria of All for Ramon, Valerie Pinto of the Student Labor Advocacy Project, and Lorena Hernandez and Liz Limeta of the Garment Worker Center.
The event centered around solidarity and student-organizing for the garment worker movement, especially given the Garment Worker Center's current campaign for SB 62, the Garment Worker Protection Act, which will ban the industry practice of piece-rate wages. Follow @garmentworkercenter on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram for updates!
Thank you to Director of Sales Lauren Allen at Alta Gracia, Storyteller Kathryn Ervin at The Industrial Commons, CEO Daniel Cardazo of Ethix Merch, Deputy Director Jessica Champagne of Worker Rights Consortium, and Director of Ethical Labor and Sustainability Liz Kennedy of ASUCLA.
Facilitated by USAC General Representative 2 and USAC Facilities Commission, this panel got really deep into the history of student anti-sweatshop organizing, the conditions we are trying to fight in the exploitative garment industry, and how to work towards divesting campus stores from the industry. Have a listen!