NOTE:  Due to the threat of a possible blizzard, this event has been moved from Wednesday to Thursday. 

Chinese and Latino Garment Workers Announce Filing of Lawsuit Against ‘Cache’
Protest Multi-Million Dollar Retail Chain for Contracting Sweatshops
   
Date: Thursday, February 11, 2010
Time: 12:30 pm
Location: Time Warner Center, 10 Columbus Circle

Chinese and Latino workers unite this Thursday, February 11, to announce a federal lawsuit against Cache, Inc. and to protest the luxury women’s retail and manufacturer chain.  The lawsuit claims that for many years, workers from Cache’s subcontracted factory in the midtown garment district labored over 70 hours each week without ever receiving overtime pay and sometimes not receiving minimum wage.  After years of working long hours manufacturing Cache’s garments, workers complained about not being paid overtime and not being allowed to take off work when they were sick from the long hours.  Shortly thereafter, the workers claim they were retaliated against and fired. 

It is claimed that despite Cache’s knowledge of the sweatshop conditions, Cache maintains a $250 million annual revenue without paying workers what they are owed. 

Cache workers, along with workers from Liberty Apparel and Great Wall factories, and other supporters of the Ain’t I A Woman?! Campaign will be protesting to demand that Cache take responsibility for their wrongdoing and compensate the workers, and to demand stronger manufacturer and retailer accountability legislation. 

The Ain’t I A Woman?! Campaign is a national outreach and educational effort led by women workers to demand those benefiting the most off of sweatshop labor are held accountable, from garment factories to home healthcare to offices. In the past, this campaign has recovered millions of dollars in backpay from companies such as DKNY, Tracy Evans, Kate Warner, Street Beat Sportswear, Odd & Evens, and many more.

DFNYC has called Corporate Headquarters at Cache Corporation to ask for their response to these charges. If and when we get a response, we will post it here.

Thursday, February 11, 2010.

Chinese and Latino Garment Workers hold press conference and protest outside the Time Warner Center at 10 Columbus Circle

Latino and Chinese workers protested today, February 11, against Cache, Inc., the luxury women’s retail and manufacturer chain. They also announced a federal lawsuit filed against Cache, Inc. 

Cache workers were joined by workers from Liberty Apparel, Great Wall factories, and other supporters of the Ain't I A Woman?!  Campaign¹ demanding that Cache take responsibility for their wrongdoing and compensate the workers. They also are calling for  stronger manufacturer and retailer accountability legislation.

New York State Senator Tom Duane, who could not be there, in a strong message of support said "Cache, despite being a nationwide, publicly traded compnay which maintains multi-million dollar revenue, appears to persist in denying these workers sick leave, overtime pay, and even minimum wage, and retaliates against those who seek basic rights with unjust dismissals.."

Also present in solidarity were members from The National Organization for Women (NOW) and Democracy for NYC members Bruce Rosen and Bernadette Evangelist. The workers are being represented in the civil lawsuit by legal counsel from the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF) and David Polk & Wardwell LLP.

¹The Ain’t I A Woman?! Campaign is a national outreach and educational effort led by women workers to demand those benefiting the most off of sweatshop labor are held accountable, from garment factories to home healthcare to offices. In the past, our campaign has recovered millions of dollars in backpay from companies such as DKNY, Tracy Evans, Kate Warner, Street Beat Sportswear, Odd & Evens, and many more. 

From left to right:  Marching protesters, press conference, spokesperson from NOW, Bruce Rosen from DFNYC.