Send Solidarity Letters to Workers at the BJ&B factory             and THE INDONESIA FACTORY

USAS Involved in International Solidarity Efforts At The BJ&B Factory                     in the Dominican Republic and an Undisclosed Factory in Indonesia –                     Both Produce Caps For U.S. Universities and Colleges 

What Is Going On In The Indonesia Cap Factory ?

After months of persistence in the face of intimidation from the management, the workers union at the Indonesia factory are planning to go into contract negotiations in the next couple weeks.  At this negotiation they will address the workplace violations they experience on a daily basis.  USAS has been requested by the union leaders to write solidarity letters of support and encouragement to the workers as they prepare to go into negotiation.  The future need for a USAS campaign in conjunction with the workers independent union organizing drive is probable as the workers union goes into contract negotiations.  (Sample letter to workers provided below)

What Is Going On At The BJ&B Cap FactorY ?

Workers at BJ&B have been trying to organize a union for a long time.  A couple months ago, several key organizers were fired.  Workers are intimidated and threatened if they take part in the union or even support the union indirectly.  Forming a strong union in order to go into contract negotiations is priority right now.  Therefore, organizers at BJ&B have requested USAS to send letters of solidarity to support the workers organizing efforts and to persist through the managements union-busting tactics and rumours that the company might cut-and-run.   (Sample letter to workers provided below)

For more information on these two factory situations PLEASE CONTACT USAS NATIONAL OFFICE AT (202) 667-9328  

* Sample Solidarity Letters *

If you can write these letter in Spanish or Bahasa Indonesian (Spanish and Indonesian text given after the English text below) please do so.  This will cut translation time and speed up workers’ access to the letters. 

       Also, please take a picture of your campus group               and send that in with your letter!

Please send your letters by airmail or email.

Airmail to: United Students Against Sweatshops,

888 16th St, NW, Suite 303, Washington, DC 20005

OR  Email to: bhumika620@yahoo.com

·        Sample letter for BJ&B Workers (In English): 

February, ____, 2002

Hello Friends at BJ&B, 

We are students from __________   University/College.

We are writing to express our solidarity in your struggle and to let you know that we will stand by your side.  We know that a worker-led union is the only way to achieve change in the factory.  We admire your struggle to form a legally recognized and independent workers union and wish you good luck and success in building a strong and stable union in your factory.  Whenever we see the hats bearing my university’s logo we remember you and good people like yourself who made those hats.

We want you to know that we are ready to take action with you if you want us to. We wish you courage, spirit/energy, safety, and success in your struggle.  Thanks again for all of your hard work.

In Continued Solidarity,

(Your Campus Chapter Name) 

·        Sample letter for BJ&B Workers (In Spanish):

 ____ de Febrero, 2002

 Queridos amigos de BJ & B, 

Somos estudiantes de   __Your college/university___. 

Les escribimos a Uds. para expresar nuestra solidaridad con su lucha y para que sepan que nosotros les apoyamos en todo.  Sabemos que un sindicato independiente – dirigido por los trabajadores mismos – es la única manera de lograr cambio en su fábrica.  Admiramos su lucha de formar un sindicato fuerte y estable y les deseamos toda la suerte y éxito en este esfuerzo.  Cada vez que vemos las gorras que llevan el logotipo de nuestra universidad, pensamos en Uds. y en la buena gente como Uds. que las fabrican.

Queremos que sepan que estamos listos para tomar medidas con Uds., para apoyarles, si es necesario.  Les deseamos mucha seguridad, energía, y éxito en su lucha.

Les agradecemos mucho todo su trabajo.

En solidaridad siempre,

(Your Campus Chapter Name)

·        Sample letter for Indonesian Workers (In English):

February, ___, 2002

 Hello Friends at Garteks,

I am a student from the university of ___________________________________.

First I would like to say “Thank You” for all of your work making products for universities, including my campus. Whenever I see the hats bearing my university’s logo I remember you and good people like yourself who made those hats. 

We also want to say “Good Luck!”   We hope that your working conditions will improve according to your desires.  My friends and I here are thinking about you often and sending you our solidarity. We are with you in your struggle, and we are ready to take action with you if you want us to. We wish you courage, spirit/energy, safety, and success in your struggle.

Thanks again for all of your hard work.

Warm Greetings,

(Your Name)

·        letter for Indonesian Workers (In Bahasa Indonesian):

 ____ Pebruari, 2002

 Halo Kawan-Kawan Garteks,

Saya adalah mahasiswa(i) dari universitas___________________________.

Pertama-tama saya ingin mengucapcan “Terima Kasih Banyak!” untuk semua kerja kamu, khsusnya terhadap produk-produk yang untuk universitas-universitas termasuk kampus saya. Setiap kali saya lihat topi-topi dengan logo sekolah saya saya ingat kamu, dan banyak orang baik lain seperti kamu, membuat topi-topi itu dengan kerja rajin dan keras.

Hal Kedua, saya ingin mengucapkan “Semoga Sukses!” Saya dan teman-teman dari kampus saya mengirim kamu banyak solidaritas. Kami akan mengikuti terus perjuangan kamu dengan berdoa dan aksi bersama! Semoga berani, semangat, selamat, dan sukses!

Terima kasih lagi untuk semua kerja keras kamu.

Salam Hangat,

(Your Name)