Clayton Board to Adopt Anti-Sweatshop Policy

The Clayton Board of Aldermen will review an anti-sweatshop policy when it meets Tuesday night. The board meets at 7 p.m. at Clayton City Hall.

The ordinance was proposed by Ward II Alderwoman Michelle Harris in May. Harris proposed that the city pass an ordinance or resolution that would prohibit city funds being spent on clothing or items that are made using sweatshop labor.

Harris said she was called to action after seeing media coverage of the garment factory collapse in Bangladesh which killed close to 1,127 people.

"This is a women's issue and it's a child labor issue," she said in May.

If Clayton passes such a resolution or ordinance, it would join nine states, 40 cities, 15 counties, 118 school districts, and one nationwide religious denomination  that have adopted such “sweat free” policies, according to grassroots organization Sweatfree.org.  

That list includes the City of St. Louis, St. Louis County and University City.

See our previous story:  City of Clayton to Explore 'Sweat Free' Ordinance

Other items on the agenda include: 

• An easement agreement with RBP Clayton LLC at 216 N. Meramec Avenue. This easement is for existing and proposed improvements encroaching into the public right-of-way in the 200 block of  N. Meramec Avenue. 
• Appoint a Municipal Judge — Recommendation to appoint Peter J. Krane as the City of Clayton’s Municipal Judge. 
• Appoint Provisional Judges — Recommendation to reappoint Nancy Watkins (Ward 2) and Dan Raniere (Ward 3) as provisional judges.