Reports published Friday in statewide newspapers stating that the University was considering backing out of the Worker Rights Consortium are misleading, according to a statement released by University President Dave Frohnmayer.
In a statement received by the Emerald, Frohnmayer said, “Recent news reports may have given the mistaken impression that the University of Oregon has suddenly reconsidered its decision to join the Workers’ [sic] Rights Consortium.”
News reports Thursday night and in today’s newspapers alleged that Frohnmayer might change his mind on the WRC issue because the labor monitoring body does not have members of the apparel industry as WRC representatives, an issue Frohnmayer expressed concern over when the University joined the WRC on April 12.
The reports misinterpreted information from University administration officials about a WRC conference April 28 in Chicago, said Maureen Shine, the University’s deputy director of communications. Duncan McDonald, the University’s vice president of public affairs and development, has been representing the University in WRC matters, including the Chicago conference, where WRC members had a chance to meet and discuss the organization’s current state of affairs and its future plans.
Early Friday morning, McDonald called the news a “rehash” of earlier stories about the Chicago conference. McDonald is out of town and is not available for further comment.
Shine called reports that the University’s stance on the WRC has changed and that the University might pull out of the organization before the expiration of its one-year commitment are false.
“Nothing has changed,” Shine said.
Frohnmayer signed on with the WRC, a labor monitoring organization in its infancy, for a one-year term after the University Senate had recommended that the University join. While agreeing to join the WRC, Frohnmayer also expressed a number of concerns, including that he would like to see more influence for university members on the WRC’s governing board and a balanced membership that includes industry representatives. Currently industry representatives are not included in the WRC.
In Friday’s statement, Frohnmayer pointed out that the University signed on with the WRC with some concerns, and that is not new.
“The UO is joining the WRC for one year,” Frohnmayer said. “The University action has always included establishing a process for internal review in cooperation with the University Senate during the next academic year, to evaluate whether the WRC can meet the terms of our conditions for membership. Any decision on whether to renew our relationship will be made only after a scheduled review and consultation with the UO Senate.”