GARMENT INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

The Garment Industry Development Corporation (GIDC) is a single-union, multi-firm, labor-management partnership that covers hundreds of New York area employers and more than 30,000 union members.

History

Since World War II, New York City's once-dominant apparel manufacturing sector has fallen on increasingly difficult times, due to high real estate prices, overseas competitors and loss of domestic market share. Yet remains as an important industry to the city, employing large numbers of workers in many small and mid-size firms. In the early 1980s, the International Ladies Garment Workers Union (today known as UNITE) began advocating for a coordinated response to the problems the members and industry faced. In 1984, a labor- management-government non-profit consortium was incorporated as GIDC, which focused its union-driven, labor-management efforts on broad industry needs, as well as the needs of specific workers and firms in the region. Time and experience drove the 1994 addition of new services, such as technology transfer and export promotion. Today, GIDC offers a comprehensive array of support services for workers and the workplace, and has helped retain union jobs and the industry in New York.

Goals

• To establish a collaborative labor-management industry-based partnership;
• To stabilize the New York garment industry and improve its competitiveness;
• To retain and expand job opportunities for union members;
• To improve wages, benefits and working conditions;
• To provide the training, marketing and modernization infrastructure required for advanced production in apparel.

Activities

GIDC targets both small and mid-size firms and workers in a large, multi-ethnic workforce. Supports include real estate assistance, domestic and international marketing services, productivity improvement programs and training/education to upgrade the skills of both management and labor. Training and modernization frequently are programs developed and delivered by former garment industry workers.

• The Super Sewers Program, taught in Chinese dialects and Spanish, increases opportunities, enhances worker skills and provides improved knowledge of safe and fair working conditions.
• Job Net connects industry workers and firms, serving more than 800 job seekers a year.
• Apparel Skills Training provides vocational training in specialized skills for both labor and management for more than 400 students annually.
• The Technology and Training Extension Service features bilingual staff available on-site.
• Domestic and International Marketing connects specific contractors and buyers in the United States and abroad, and provides marketing assistance.
• The Fashion Industry Modernization Center showcases the latest industry technology and provides training.

Results

• GIDC brought together a critical series of partners to support and promote the New York fashion industry. The partnership established an industry and worker-centered comprehensive approach to job creation and retention in the garment industry.
• GIDC business development programs have generated more than $35 million in new sales, and opened new international markets.
• Since 1994, modernization services have been provided for scores of firms. On average, 15 firms a year are engaged in consultation services.
• The partnership has provided training to thousands of workers. In 1997,more than 1,400 workers obtained training and Job Net services.
• Training programs have led to skill diversification, new career paths and opportunities, awareness of safe and fair working conditions, increased worker self-esteem and an introduction to learning.
• GIDC has generated a wide range of public and private support that generates an annual budget in excess of $1.2 million.