In this Jan. 9, 2008 file photo, Actor Danny Glover takes part in a panel discussion at Emerson College in Boston. Glover is calling on Oscar nominees and others in the film industry to not wear Hugo Boss suits to the Sunday, March 7, 2010 event. In collaboration with the labor union Workers United, Glover made the request in a letter dated Feb. 26 on behalf of about 375 Hugo Boss factory workers in Cleveland who will lose their jobs if the German company closes the plant next month as planned. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer, File)CLEVELAND (AP) -- Actor and activist Danny Glover is calling on Academy Awards nominees and others in the film industry to not wear Hugo Boss suits at Sunday's awards ceremony.
The "Lethal Weapon" star, in collaboration with the Workers United labor union, made the request in a letter on behalf of 375 Cleveland-area factory workers who'll lose their jobs if the German company closes the plant at the end of next month as planned.
The Feb. 26 letter asks Hollywood to "take a small stand for American workers." It asks Oscars attendees to wear on their lapels a pin reading, "Keep the Hugo Boss Plant Open."
Workers United, which represents most of the plant's employees, said the plant is profitable and the company is shutting it because it can make clothing more cheaply in Europe. The clothing company, famed for its stylish fashion, has a facility in Turkey and contract workers in Romania and Bulgaria.
The union, affiliated with the Service Employees International Union, is asking fans to join Glover by signing an online petition urging Hollywood to shun Hugo Boss at the Oscars.
RELATED STORY: 'Hurt Locker,' 'Avatar' duel for top Oscar
Hugo Boss AG, based in Metzingen, Germany, said the plant is under capacity and isn't globally competitive. It makes two lines of men's suits there.
During union negotiations last year, the company told workers it wanted to lower wages from $13 an hour to $8.30, Ohio union director Dallas Sells said.
In a letter to workers in December, Hugo Boss chief operating officer Andreas Stockert said that the company had negotiated in good faith with the union and that it had a responsibility to shareholders.
It announced the closing in December, stunning employees, most of whom are at the $13-an-hour pay level.
By Jeannine Aversa - Associated Press
updated 29 minutes ago
The recovery lost momentum in the spring as growth slowed to a 2.4 percent pace, its most sluggish showing in nearly a year and too weak to drive down unemployment. Published 8:33 a.m. July 30, 2010
By Sean Lengell - The Washington Times
The House ethics committee officially lodged charges against Rep. Charles B. Rangel, including that he used his office to raise $8 million for a college public policy center named after him and didn't file taxes while he was Congress' chief tax writer. Published 8:56 p.m. July 29, 2010
Independent voices from the TWT Communities
A conservative satirist takes on the worlds of politics and entertainment in humorous pursuit of truth, justice, and all things America.
Join Matt on weekly adventures in all forms as he pushes his comfort levels in attempt to stimulate body, mind, and soul.
A slice of suburban family life from the diverse perspectives of a politically-minded mom.
Join the Evolution with Adam Omkara! Empowering, cutting edge mind/body/spirit and health dialogue.
