Tell American Eagle to respect workers' rights

The right for workers to form unions is guaranteed via Article 23 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. However, a lot of companies prefer corporate tyranny. Allowing unions would threaten their absolute power over their workers, and that's not acceptable.

Apparently, one of these companies is a contractor for American Eagle, a major clothing manufacturer with stores in malls across the U.S.

Below is an action alert from American Rights at Work. Please read it and take action.

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As the weather cools down and school starts up, you might think about picking up some new fall fashions from American Eagle Outfitters.

While American Eagle, one of the biggest clothing retailers in North America, has a corporate code for contractors that supports workers' rights to join a union, it seems one of the company's contractors is cut from a different cloth.

Workers at American Eagle's Canadian distribution contractor have a shocking story to tell. When these men and women first tried to form a union, they say they were subjected to harassment and intimidation -- all part of a massive unionbusting campaign.

Write a letter to American Eagle demanding that the company enforce its code of conduct at the distribution center.

How far will American Eagle's contractor go to suppress workers' rights to join a union? The company flew in a unionbusting firm to run a campaign against employees the very same day the workers petitioned for union certification. According to workers, the company:

* Made workers attend daily, two-hour anti-union meetings,

* Plastered huge "vote no" posters all over the workplace, and

* Mailed an anti-union DVD to each worker's home.

We call that unionbusting -- and it's simply unacceptable. Despite promising to treat workers with “dignity and respect,” American Eagle has not lifted a finger to enforce its code of conduct. As the largest customer of National Logistics Services, the company that owns and operates the distribution center, American Eagle can make a difference in the lives of these workers.

But instead the company has turned a blind eye -- claiming it holds no responsibility for the way its distributor treats workers, who say they suffer from stagnating wages, little job security, and daily disrespect from management.

Contact American Eagle and say that this just doesn't fit!

You know as well as I do that the company can choose to do the right thing. These workers have a right to join a union, free from harassment and fear.

Thank you for taking action on behalf of these workers!

Liz Cattaneo,
American Rights at Work
www.americanrightsatwork.org