Ethical T-Shirts in SPA?

A recent exposé with SAC t-shirt hook-up Gene Swanson revealed interesting, yet predictable, truths about the t-shirt experience at SPA. Swanson, one of two faculty advisors to SAC, is the contact between SAC itself and Steve Johnson, the t-shirt provider. When sending in an order, he focuses solely on what t-shirts fit the requirements set forth by SAC, what companies have those t-shirts in stock, and which company will give them the cheapest yet most durable product. Ethical sourcing does not factor into the equation at all, and in fact never did. There was never a time that Mr. Swanson can remember where ethical sourcing of their t-shirts was even considered. To him, the most important aspect was (and still is) making the shirts as cheap as possible, since the goal is to sell them for as great a profit as SAC can. Fortunately for Mr. Swanson, however, the two main companies that Steve Johnson uses for SPA are at the forefront of leading social change in regards to Third World manufacturing jobs. Both Gildan and Fruit of the Loom, the two main t-shirt providers for SPA, practice ethical employment and work to increase awareness of unethical situations. 

Logo for Gildan Activewear (Gildan)

In 2011, Gildan forced its Haitian subcontractor to rehire four workers that were found to be unjustly fired (Dadychery). The factory, which produces extensively for Gildan and also serves as a major source of employment on the island, fired the four workers as well as two other union members with very little basis. As a result, Gildan forced Genesis S.A. (the Haitian factory) to reinstate them with full back pay and full seniority, all under the presence of the Haitian Ministry of Labour. This instance backs up Gildan’s claim of being “committed to achieving the highest standards of labour practices, working conditions and to maintaining an open dialogue with non-governmental organizations, members of the labour movement, and other interested parties” (Genuine Gildan). Gildan takes extensive measures to ensure proper safety and fairness, applying internal codes and standards, complying with international and regional standards, and encouraging third party and independent contractor audits to make sure that each Gildan factory treats workers ethically and fair. Additionally, Gildan requires all of its subcontractors to meet these three requirements as well; failure to meet any of these prerequisites will result in a cease of partnership.

            

Logo for Fruit of the Loom (Examiner)

Similarly to Gildan, Fruit of the Loom is committed to practicing ethical measures and upholding social justice in their manufacturing enterprises. Just like Gildan, Fruit of the Loom has a Supply Chain Code of Conduct that must be adhered to 100% in order for business to be conducted (Fruit of the Loom). Fruit of the Loom also employs third parties to inspect both their own factories and their subcontracted factories to ensure that the Code of Conduct is followed. It is especially important that Fruit of the Loom follows these ethical practices, as it owns Russell Brand Athletics, which supplies uniforms to some of SPA’s athletic teams (Fruit of the Loom).

           

Bringing this back to the original idea, it is evident that the two major providers for our SPA t-shirts, Gildan and Fruit of the Loom, practice ethical manufacturing and are at the forefront of this ethical responsibility. Unfortunately, that is not the reason why SPA has been purchasing their apparel. Future contact with Steve Johnson will be necessary in determining if ethical sourcing is important in his selection process, or if he complies with SPA’s main issue of finding the cheapest and the best quality, no matter the origin.