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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-05-30 01-226 RESOLVEItem No. m.-226 Date: 5 -30 -01 Item/Subject: Resolve — Establishing Guidelines to Address the Purchase of Items of Apparel, Footwear, Textiles and Related Produces from Responsible Contractors. Responsible Department: Purchasing On May 9, 2001, the Finance Committee reviewed the Citys new policy that establishes guidelines for the purchase of items of apparel and related products from responsible contractors. This policy was established by a Resolve passed by the Council on October 25, 1999. In that resolve the Finance Committee was directed to review any Impact that the new guidelines may have had on are purchasing of these items. The Resolve also contained a "sunset" provision pending a Finance Committee review of its effectiveness. During the Finance Committee review It was reported that the new guidelines had no adverse affect on ether the workload of the Purchasing Department or the price and availability of the items covered and that the process had become routine. The Rnance Committee voted to continue with the policy and the attached Resolve s(FRararremed for passage by the City Council. The report to the Finance Committee is a c , 71 / DepalYmpM Head Manager's Comments: `Ys_Y 4Nfff' City Manager Associated Information: Fide Director Cry Sou@or Int tlucetl for Passage _ First Reading Page 1 of 1 Referral Bssiipea to emmenoi Pa r May 30, 2001 CITY OF BANGOR (TITLE.) Resolve, Establishing Guidelines to Address the Purchase of Items of Apparel, Footwear, TeRiles and Related Products from Responsible Contractors. RESOLVED, WHEREAS, it is in the Interest of the City of Bangor to purchase items or apparel, footwear, textiles and certain related products from responsible contractors who provide quality goods and services at a competitive price: and WHEREAS, certain manufacturers in these industries in the United States and around the world have been found to maintain sweatshop conditions which include below subsistence wages; unhealthy and unsafe working environments; excessively long hours; child, indentured, and prison labor, persistent disregard for local and international labor laws and workplace regulations; and systematic repression of fundamental women's rights, human rights and workers'rights: and WHEREAS, standards outlining responsible and ethical practices can be found in: the International Labor Organization's Convention on the Rights of the Child (Article 32.1), I.L.O. Conventions Section 29, Article 2; Section 105, Article 1; Section 87, Article 2: and Section 98, Article 1; the United Nations Declaation on Gender Equity (paragraph 139), the U.N. General Assembly Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Articles 4, 5, 23.1, 23.3, 23.4 and 24); and WHEREAS, sweatshops threaten the jobs and wages of workers in Maine and elsewhere, whose companies may relocate for cheaper labor; and WHEREAS, in June 1997, the City Council of the City of Bangor adopted a resolution declaring that all clothes for sale in our community should be manufactured In accordance with established international codes of corporate conduct regarding wages, workplace health and safety, forced labor, child labor and freedom of association; and WHEREAS, appropriate governmental purchasing practices can be effective in assisting to combat sweatshop production practices. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BANGOR, THAT: Section L. Whenever possible, the City of Bangor will purchase items of apparel, footwear, textiles and related products from responsible and ethical manufacturers who operate In accordance with established international codes of corporate conduct regarding wages, workplace health and safety, forced labor, child labor, and freedom of association, as embodied in Untied Nations (U.N.) and International Labor Organization (LL.O.) conventions. Section 2. All requests for bids on such items shall include a statement of the City's policy regarding such purchases. Section 3. The Purchasing Agent shall submit a series of questions to bidders on Items of apparel, footwear, textiles, and related products designed to determine the manufacturing facilities in which the products under consideration are made, to ascertain working conditions at these manufactunng facilities, and to demonstrate that working conditions are of concern in the City's purchasing decisions. Section 4. At the time of bid consideration by the Finance Committee, the City's Purchasing Agent shall provide to the Committee information that has been provided on the working conditions of the manufacturer from whom the goods will be received. The Purchasing Agent may utilize information provided by the manufacturer, the distributor from whom the goads are purchased, reputable national and international organizations, well documented media reports, and Information provided from local groups with concerns in this area, as the basis for this information. The Finance Committee shall take this information into account in evaluating the bids received and any bid award to be made. IN CITY COUNCIL Nay 30. 2001 Notion for Passage Rade g 01-226 and Seconded Passed (TITLE,) estaulfauiae cnfdelfnes to Address the Purchase of Iteos of Apparel. Pootvear. Textiles and Related Products frou Responsible Assigned to Councilor