I love my “clean” union-made, USA-made blue jeans

Did you see the recent episode of Independent Lens entitled “China Blue” on PBS? It is the undercover story of real Chinese garment workers who make blue jeans for the American and other markets. The workers make pennies to make our clothing while their bosses, the distributors and the marketers grow rich. Paid $100 for… Continue reading I love my “clean” union-made, USA-made blue jeans

We could use a union; but church planting first

Friend and colleague, the Rev. Adam Tierney-Eliot, commented following my post on “unsettled” ministers: What StephenR said makes sense to me. Scott, what you need is a union. Funny. I’ve written about ministers’ union before, but was thinking the same thing about ministers actively seeking settlements. For those unfamiliar, this is the dry season for… Continue reading We could use a union; but church planting first

NYT on growing benefits for religion

I’ve mused before that church members should not get a tax deduction if their church’s mission is inwardly focused and fails to provide a common, public good. But this is not the direction the wind is blowing, according to the series, “In God’s Name” the New York Times reports (Diana B. Henriques, reporter) in a… Continue reading NYT on growing benefits for religion

“Clean” clothing: starting with undies

I started writing this post before my earlier Justice Clothing post, thus the out-of-order title. But underwear is a good place to start the day. There is an interesting forum discussion that lays out the players in Sweatshop-free underwear thread (Vegan Represent) that’s worth going to. I’ve bough boxer-briefs from (and made for) Union House,… Continue reading “Clean” clothing: starting with undies

Justice Clothing Company for “clean” togs

I don’t accept advertising, but I do laud companies that help me live out my Christian faith. When I buy clothes, I want good assurance that the people who make and sell them receive a fair wage and decent work standard. I prefer clothes that, through their materials and manufacture, depend on less energy to… Continue reading Justice Clothing Company for “clean” togs

Canadian United Church ministers union organizing continues

I coulda swore I blogged about this a couple of years ago, when the idea of United Church of Canada ministers organizing under the Canadian Auto Workers made the newspapers. But I can’t find the post so I guess I didn’t. The ministers then raised a cry about how the felt misused and the church… Continue reading Canadian United Church ministers union organizing continues

Unions get their own category

I’ve been watching for various stories and resources related to trade unions, including finding and identifying US-made union-made goods which should appeal to different people for different reasons across the ideological spectrum. I had been putting them under “sustainable living” but there are enough of these articles to justify their own entry as “unions and… Continue reading Unions get their own category

Union-made candles for church, too

Two of the larger suppliers of candles and lamp oil for churches have unionized workforces. Emkay Candles (Muench-Kreuzer Candle Co.) Cathedral Candles Since I also like sole proprietorships and cooperatives, add them in the comments if you know of some, particularly if they make candles in pure beeswax or soywax. Refurbishers of church furnishings, too.… Continue reading Union-made candles for church, too