http://blog.aflcio.org/2007/06/15/give-people-the-same-protections-as-dogs-and-cats/‘Give People the Same Protections as Dogs and Cats’
by James Parks, Jun 15, 2007
The United Steelworkers launched a national campaign yesterday to ensure that workers around the world who make the products we use are treated at least as well as dogs and cats.
The union is backing the Decent Working Conditions and Fair Competition Act (S. 367 and H.R.1992), which is based on a law passed in 2000 to prohibit the “importing, exporting, manufacturing, selling, advertising, transporting or distributing” of any dog or cat fur product.
The bipartisan bills, introduced by Sens. Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.) and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Reps. Mike Michaud (D-Maine) and Chris Smith (R-N.J.), have 50 co-sponsors in the House and 11 in the Senate.
The 2000 law, the Dog and Cat Protection Act, was passed unanimously by both houses. The legislation got its spark from reports of widespread abuse and slaughter of dogs and cats in China to make the fur collars on jackets sold in the United States.
Tim Waters, who coordinates the USW’s Rapid Response Network, says:
It’s time to take the offensive in the global economy. There’s no reason we can’t get someone who voted to protect dogs and cats to vote to protect people.
FULL story at link.