Mick Duncan reports from the conference of United Students Against Sweatshops in Los Angeles
Four hundred campus activists from all over the US—and two members of No Sweat from the Britain—gathered in the South California sunshine over the weekend of 1-2 February to plan activity, swap ideas and hear from workers and union activists in the forefront of the fight against sweatshops.
Workers from the US, El Salvador and Mexico told their stories of how they have fought, often against some of the most famous high street names, facing violence and intimidation, but still, remarkably, often coming out on top.
Later we moved outside where local janitors and trade union organisers spoke about their fights for decent wages, healthcare and respect.
We also took a bus ride to Santa Monica for a “tour of shame”—of shops selling goods made in sweatshops—and to invade a hotel that has just fired two workers who are union organisers.
