Holiday Shopping Made Easy (And Pro-Union!)
Union Made Gift Guide
As Union Carpenters, we strengthen the labor movement in support of fair wages and safe working conditions every time we report to work. And during the holiday season, our buying choices give us the power to promote the same principles by buying from companies that support our goals and mission. From tools to apparel, there are numerous opportunities to support our union brothers and sisters and companies that promote a fair wage. When you think of yourself and, even more importantly, your loved ones, consider buying with a union-friendly company.
Here are some gift ideas from each of the websites listed below:
Union Label and Service Trades Department, AFL-CIO: They promote union-made products but are not involved in selling them. While they don’t sell items directly, they provide resources to find union-made goods. If you need a gift, consider:
- Union-Made Apparel: Brands like All American Clothing Co. offer union-made jeans and shirts.
- Union-Made Beverages: Budweiser and Miller beers are union-made, so add them to that holiday basket.
- Union-Made Chocolates: Union workers produce Ghirardelli chocolates, which are the ideal gift for chocolate lovers.
Labor 411: Labor 411 provides directories of ethically produced goods. Gift suggestions include:
- Ethically Made Candles: Aloha Bay sells candles made under fair labor practices.
- Fair Trade Coffee: Equal Exchange provides coffee produced by worker-owned cooperatives.
- Eco-Friendly Bags: Eco-Bags Products offers reusable bags made with fair labor standards.
Union Plus: Union Plus offers discounts and benefits for union members. Gift ideas include:
- Travel Discounts: Give a vacation package gift while getting union member discounts.
- Movie Tickets: Stock your holiday stockings with discounted tickets to popular theaters make for great stocking stuffers.
- Wireless Service: Help reduce a loved one’s wireless bill by offering a way to save on their phone bill with discounted plans.
AFL-CIO Union-Made: The AFL-CIO provides lists of union-made products. Gift ideas include:
- Union-Made Toppings: Top your burgers and dogs with union-made favorites like Heinz Ketchup and Gulden’s Spicy Brown Mustard—and don’t forget Ball Park Franks, also union-made!
- Board Games: Union workers produce classic games like Monopoly.
- Sports Equipment: Wilson sporting goods offers union-made basketballs and footballs.
Shop Union Made: This platform offers a variety of union-made products. Gift suggestions include:
- Union-Made Apparel: Union House sells clothing like jackets and hats.
- Leather Goods: Red Wing Shoes offers union-made boots and accessories.
- Jewelry: W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery Co. produces union-made knives, which can be unique gifts.
Shop for Products that Support Your Union Apprenticeship: These companies directly support our union through sponsorships and the donations of tools to our apprenticeship programs.
- Tools: Stanley, Black & Decker, DeWalt, and Milwaukee
These suggestions support fair labor practices and offer quality gifts for your loved ones.
Union-Friendly Websites for Holiday Shopping