In the current issue of the Mercury, I wrote about continuing efforts to get city council to pass an anti-sweatshop ordinance that would prevent the city and its contractors from purchasing goods—like uniforms—that were made in sweatshops.

It’s been in the works for about a year, but what’s slowing it down is city council’s reluctance to buy into one part of the sweat-free coalition’s proposal—giving about $20,000 (or one percent of purchases) to a consortium made up of other cities and states that have already passed similar plans. The consortium would act as a kind of independent enforcement body to make sure the law wasn’t being sidestepped. The idea has been urged by people like San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom and Main Governor John Baldacci, but council is hesitant about handing over ongoing money to a group that hasn’t officially been formed yet.

In the story, I wrote that the local sweat-free coalition leaders were willing to find a compromise that didn’t include the consortium—turns out, that was slightly less than accurate. The coalition is still pushing hard for the consortium, and wouldn’t likely endorse any anti-sweatshop policy that didn’t include it.

From David Delk, one of the Sweat Free Portland Coalition members:

Thank you for your story last week, No Sweat?, regarding efforts for the past year and a half to have Portland’s city council pass an ordinance banning the use of our taxpayer’s tax dollars to buy goods made in sweatshops. People working on this campaign are indeed growing frustrated with this city council’s failure to pass this measure in a timely manner. Especially given that they have all expressed support for the idea. One correction is warranted. The author correctly identifies one stumbling block being that the ordindance proponents want the city to commit and dedicate approximately $20,000 annually to a worker’s consortium to monitor the program and to identify sweatshops. City commissioners are reluctant to make that commitment. The author says that we are not wedded to the consortium. NOT TRUE! The consortium is the most important part of the enforcement mechanism. Without the consortium, identifying sweatshops will be next to impossible. Without the consortium, we end up with a windowdressing, feel-good ordinance. Without the funding for the consortium, we will not support the ordinance. David e. Delk, Member, SweatFree Portland Coalition

Deborah Schwartz, one of the campaign’s organizers, agrees, saying the group will push for funding the consortium and the establishment of a local advisory board.

In the meantime! The campaign will be out at the main post office (715 NW Hoyt) tomorrow, getting their message out to all those last-minute tax filers.