Wednesday, December 24, 2008


CANADIAN LABOUR:
CANADIAN EQUIPMENT FOR THE CANADIAN GAME:
The following is very seasonal, the hockey season that is. While hockey may be Canada's national sport it seems that the equipment used in the game is less and less so, to the detriment of North American workers. The Unite Here union is asking you to write to Reebok, asking them to quit making long shots with their sources and return to their own zone. Here's the appeal for your solidarity. For puck's sake lend a hand here.
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Ask Reebok to Make the Save!‏:
Hockey is a popular sport in the U.S. and Canada, and Reebok holds the exclusive license for official National Hockey League(NHL) apparel and equipment. But hockey fans may be surprised to learn that many of these products used to be manufactured in North America and are now mostly made overseas.
Since 2002, Reebok or The Hockey Company/Sport Maska (a company that became a Reebok subsidiary in 2004) have shut down five factories in Canada, outsourced work, and eliminated nearly 600 Canadian jobs.
That manufacturing work has been sent to factories in other countries, particularly in China. An analysis of Reebok import shipments into the U.S. from September, 2006 to August, 2008 shows that hockey jerseys, sticks, ice skates and other items are produced in at least 12 countries, with nearly two thirds of the total product coming from factories in China.
Reebok should make a commitment to local manufacturing jobs. Ask Reebok to Make the Save! Send a message to Reebok.
You can take action on this alert via the web at:
Visit the web address below to tell your friends about this.
We encourage you to take action by May 22, 2009
Ask Reebok to Make the Save!
INSTRUCTIONS TO RESPOND VIA THE WEB:
If you have access to a web browser, you can take action on this alert by going to the following URL:
Your letter will be addressed and sent to:
Mr. Mathew O'Toole
Mr. Michel Benoit
Mr. Yan Martin
----THIS LETTER WILL BE SENT IN YOUR NAME----
Dear [decision maker name automatically inserted here],
I am a fan of hockey, but I am also concerned about the economy and the loss of local manufacturing jobs that have supported our national game. Reebok has closed North American factories and outsourced hundreds of jobs that produced hockey apparel and equipment. Reebok has sent that work to factories overseas, particularly in China.
As a hockey fan, I want Reebok to make a commitment to good paying jobs here at home and to maintain and expand North American production of hockey apparel and equipment. Workers here love hockey and want to contribute to the game. Local production is good for the game, good for workers, and good for the fans. Please make the save!
----END OF LETTER TO BE SENT----

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