SweatFree Portland: Overview & Lessons Learned

1. SweatFree Portland: Overview & Lessons Learned Stacey Foreman, City of Portland, Oregon Sweatfree Purchasing Consortium Webinar, December 6, 2012

2. Background • August 2007 City Council Resolution to develop a Sweatshop Free Procurement Policy • Developed by a diverse committee with participation from local labor rights organizations • Incorporated lessons learned from other public agencies • October 2008 City adopts Sweatshop Free Procurement Policy • August 2009 – Administrative Rules finalized

3. Policy Overview • Policy applies to all apparel contracts or amendments valued at $150,000 or more • Policy is similar to the Consortium’s model policy • Documentation Requirements • Contractor signs affidavit stating policy compliance; affidavit includes statement on how compliance is monitored • Contractor and Brand Owner complete and sign factory location disclosure form for contract items

4. Policy Overview • Policy allows for waivers to policy compliance • Policy allows for delayed compliance • Documentation includes compliance plan & timeline • Policy requires website publication of compliance information (factory locations) • Policy incorporates a public compliant process • Policy/Rules define a remediation process for violations • Policy establishes community oversight committee

5. Policy Applications • Fire Fighter Uniforms • not-to-exceed (NTE) $575,000/yr • Police Uniforms • NTE $700,000/yr • Uniform Rental • NTE $200,000/yr – including laundry service • T-Shirts/Sweatshirts • NTE $250,000/yr

6. Challenges • City often does not contract directly with a brand owner • City alone has relatively little influence with brand owners • Applying policy to “catalog” type contracts – where end-users can choose from a variety of items • Time needed to collect factory location information • Have to rely on affidavits and complaints – no capacity to conduct audits or otherwise verify compliance

7. Lessons Learned • Try to ensure brand-owner is engaged at some point, even if not the prime contractor • Plan ahead: allow plenty of time in procurement process for vendor to return complete documentation • Allow for brand changes to facilitate compliance • Understand end-user requirements - do they really need a specific brand or cut/color?

8. Lessons Learned • Leave some flexibility for waivers or partial compliance • Understand limitations of small distributors; find compliance mechanisms that take them into account • Engage your community – an oversight committee can aid you in communicating with brand owners

9. Going Forward • City participation in Sweatfree Purchasing Consortium • Reduce time needed to receive compliance documentation • Assists with maintaining updated information • More agencies = more influence • Build capacity to verify compliance • May assist if complaints arise • Consistent messaging to brand owners • Reduce leg-work of small distributors

10. More Information • City of Portland, Oregon Sweatshop Free Procurement Policy and Documents • http://www.portlandonline.com/omf/index.cfm?c=50342& • Or Contact: Stacey Foreman, Sustainable Procurement Coordinator City of Portland, Procurement Services Ph: 503-823-3508 stacey.foreman@portlandoregon.gov