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Boston, MA: A coalition of musicians, fans, and labor advocates called Musicians Against Sweatshops (MASS) have come together to rid the music industry of sweatshops. Formed by two sweat-free apparel companies, No Sweat Apparel and Ethical Threads, and folk hero Billy Bragg, the group's goals are to have musicians source their merchandise from union and worker-owned cooperative factories.
Together musicians are saying they have had enough. MASS believes that by exercising influence on culture in general and youth in particular we can make sweatshops so unfashionable that they become unfeasible. MASS members also agree to reach out to their fans at least once a year to encourage their support of the virtual Union Mall (theunionmall.com).
"Ultimately, we want musicians to take the next step in ensuring their clothes are made in safe working conditions," said MASS Coordinator Trina Tocco. "By striving to improve working conditions around the world, MASS members are in turn helping to empower garment workers to resist abuses on the job."
MASS is supporting the efforts of volunteers across the country to plan benefit concerts and spread the message of support for sweat free companies and musicians. Benefit concerts are currently being planned in New York City and Boston.
Current members of MASS include musicians Asian Dub Foundation, Sweat-Shop Union, Chumbawumba, Emily Zuzik, Chrissie Hynde of the Pretenders, as well as others.
"Musicians and fans are coming together to speak out against injustice in the workplace--we are realizing what role we can play here," said Billy Bragg.
MASS works in partnership with musicians, merchandise distributors, whole suppliers, and musician merchandise retailers. MASS works in coalition with United Students Against Sweatshops, Behind The Label, and other organizations working to improve the lives of workers. For more information on Musicians Against Sweatshops (MASS), go to NoSweatshop.org.
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