Buy uniforms in the U.S.

Rep. Tom Rukavina (DFL-Virginia) continues to carry his “Buy American” theme from last legislative session when he sponsored a law requiring flags sold in Minnesota to be made in the United States.

He now sponsors HF1169 that would require public employers to buy uniforms, safety equipment and protective accessories manufactured in the United States. Among those affected, he said, would be school custodians and cafeteria workers, members of school sports teams and city, county, state agency, and public safety employees.

The bill would also require purchasing preference be given to manufacturers who pay an average annual income, including wages and benefits, of at least 150 percent of the federal poverty level for a family of four, which amounts to about $15.90 an hour.

The House Labor and Consumer Protection Division approved the bill March 18 and referred it to the House Commerce and Labor Committee. Its companion, SF1058, sponsored by Sen. David Tomassoni (DFL-Chisholm), awaits action by the Senate Business, Industry and Jobs Committee.

Opponents such as the League of Minnesota Cities and the Minnesota School Boards Association said the bill would create another mandate, and it could be hard to identify acceptable product sources while containing costs.

Proponents made patriotic, economic and human rights arguments.

“Abuses in the (global) apparel industry are well known,” Workers United representative Jaye Rykunyk said, citing the use of child labor. In contrast, textile and clothing manufacturers paying union wages, such as Extreme Design in Chisholm, and employers in the southern United States have the capacity to fill new orders for uniforms, safety vests and t-shirts.

“Taking a long view and looking at clothing and uniforms that are made in our country, I think, is the patriotic thing to do,” Rykunyk said. Several states have similar laws, including Maine, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Ohio and California.