April 7-18, 2008 workers from factories and fields abroad visited communities in Michigan and Ohio to raise awareness about labor conditions in Wal-Mart’s supply chains. The tour was organized by the International Labor Rights Forum and Sweatfree Communities and included a Cambodian garment worker and a Costa Rican pineapple picker.

The two-week tour kicked off at Goshen College in Indiana and included stops in Ohio in Cincinnati, Columbus, New Philadelphia, and Cleveland. The tour moved onto Michigan during the second week with stops in Dearborn, East Lansing, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, and Traverse City. Events were attended by students, community members, church-goers, union members, and others. One of the events in Dearborn included a workshop at the Labor Notes Conference on April 13th. The tour also managed to spare a few extra hours to show support to striking UAW workers in Three Rivers, MI who are demanding decent pay and healthcare from their boss American Axle.