Learning about the poor working conditions that exist in some textile factories inspired 29 students to step outside their sociology classroom and make a difference on the University campus.
As an extension of Professor Michael Dreiling’s class titled Workers, Consumers, and the Global Economy, the group formed the Campus Coalition for Fair Labor earlier this term. Their initial goal was to create a “no-sweat zone” where students can purchase T-shirts with the confidence that they were produced under humane conditions.
“We want students to have the choice to buy University apparel that isn’t made by workers who are paid low wages and work in hazardous conditions,” said Becky Clausen, an activist and graduate student in environmental studies.
Wednesday marked a turning point for the group members, who met with the University Bookstore’s general manager, Jim Williams, to finalize the project. If the group’s goals are met, three styles of shirts will be available for purchase before the 2001 commencement. About 200 shirts total will be ordered as a trial.
The “no-sweat zone” apparel will have a union label, one of the only avenues to ensure garments are made in humane conditions, Clausen said.
The project is an opportunity to offer another choice to students without boycotting the sports apparel company Nike, said CCFL member Nick Lougee.
Buying “American” is not the CCFL’s message, however, Lougee said.
“It’s not so much where it’s made, but how it’s made,” he said.
Williams and the CCFL are working together to find a company in support of the no-sweat zone effort to produce the shirts. Lougee doesn’t believe this task will be too difficult because if the project is successful, the no-sweat zone could generate a lot of income for the clothing company, especially if the idea spreads to other universities.
Williams is supportive of the project and thinks that adding this choice for students will improve sales of existing products.
“The decision to make these products available to our customers should in no way be interpreted as though the bookstore is suggesting anything negative about the existing vendor partners with whom we do business,” he said. “Offering the union alternative is responding to the request to offer customers a choice.”
Ultimately, the customers’ response to the product will determine whether the bookstore will continue to sell these shirts in the future, Williams said.
The class project has been modeled after the sweat-free zone at Occidental College in Los Angeles. Occidental’s zone has worked well; the first set of union-made shirts sold out quickly, according to information supplied by CCFL. Members of the group are also keeping in touch with activists at UCLA who are working on a similar project.
A rally featuring music and guest speakers, including Dreiling and Peter Dreyer from Occidental University, will be held Monday at 11:30 a.m. in the EMU Amphitheater. CCFL members hope to raise awareness about working conditions in factories and publicize the upcoming no-sweat zone.
Many students, faculty and alumni are signing on to the no-sweat zone campaign.
“We have collected a large number of signatures and have a lot of support from the University community, as well as local unions,” CCFL member Andy Ott said.
The CCFL also has the support of a number of University groups, including the College Democrats, the Campus Greens and the Human Rights Alliance.
Students and faculty can sign the no-sweat zone petition outside the Survival Center office or on the door of Room 740 in Prince Lucien Campbell Hall.