NYC tourism bureau signs up El Salvador to make t-shirts, cutting NYC workers

Bad deal:  NYC &  Co., the NYC tourism and marketing agency, whose job it is to tell the world just how fabulous NYC is and how talented and creative New Yorkers are, has given the finger — and it’s not a thumb pointed down — to NYC’s garment industry and its 24,000 garment workers by signing a contract to make NYC branded t-shirts overseas, in El Salvador.  The agency, currently known as NYCGO, signed a manufacturing contract with Aeropostale to make t-shirts and other garments with logos and images of NYC, New York’s Finest NYPD, New York’s Bravest NYFD and New York’s famous yellow taxis.  Aeropostale is making the NYC products in South America instead of in the Garment District or Chinatown. Since NYCGO is funded in large part by NYC taxpayers, it’s pretty disgraceful to have NYC taxpayers paying to have NYC-sponsored souvenirs made overseas, even though some of the profits from the sales will support the NY Police Foundation and the FDNY Foundation.  NYCOTC would rather see a “Made in NYC” or “Made in America” label in NYC branded souvenirs than “Made in El Salvador”.  If you agree, support the non-profit group Save the Garment Center.  And let NYCGO and Aeropostale know what you think, too.  No, this is not an April Fool’s joke.  This is for real.