Alderman Tony Zielivski will host a news conference TOMORROW, January 6, 2010 in the City Hall rotunda at 12:00 p.m. to discuss the Milwaukee Police Department’s decision to enter into a uniform purchasing contract with Badger Uniforms. The Badger bid was selected over a company that manufactures its product in America and bid the contract at a lower rate.

“Our police chief has decided to ship American jobs overseas at greater cost to the American taxpayer,” Alderman Tony Zielinski said. “This move shows complete insensitivity to and outright disregard for the plight of the American worker in our current economy. In light of the fact that our federal government understands the plight of the American worker and has invested billions of dollars to create jobs here, this move by the police chief is particularly illogical.”

The uniforms will be constructed in Foshan City, China, but in order to adhere to anti-sweatshop regulations passed by the Common Council, the supplier says the Milwaukee products are made in a distinct part of the plant where the workers are paid higher wages.

Steve Watrous of Milwaukee’s Clean Clothes Campaign will join Alderman Zielinski and other local advocates to discuss the contract and recent labor-law violations at the uniform plant. The uniforms, touted as the police favorite for their material, must still meet the standards of the sweat-free ordinance and it is questionable whether or not they do.

“Our economy is being devastated by American jobs being shipped overseas to companies that exploit workers for economic gain. If we are going to turn our economy around, we need to level the playing field for the American workers and stop policies that support the loss of American jobs at greater cost to the taxpayer,” Alderman Zielinski said.

“We have to educate the public about policies such as this so they can better advocate for more equitable policies to help move our economy forward and focus on creating jobs here in this country, not abroad “

WHAT: MPD Uniform Contract Decision

WHEN: 12:00 p.m. January 6, 2010

WHERE: 200 E. Wells St., City Hall Rotunda

(Note: This press release from 2010 highlights Zielinski’s early advocacy against the economic threats posed by China. For over a decade, Zielinski has been at the forefront of efforts to keep American jobs and call out international risks)