Two resolutions before the ASUO Senate tonight endorse labor rights and call for the University to suspend its contract with Russell Athletic for alleged labor violations in a Honduran factory.
A broad resolution favoring workers’ rights to organize, and opposing goods from companies that run sweatshops will be discussed for a second time. A second resolution condemning Russell will be debated for the first time, and is at least a week away from final passage.
On Monday night, the rules committee drafted a revised fair labor bill that endorses four principles: “solidarity with all working peoples’ struggles,” support for “companies that provide living wages,” safe working conditions and the right for workers to organize collectively.
The resolution targeting Russell calls for the University’s contract with the manufacturer, which expires at the end of June, to be suspended until Russell “has been found by independent monitoring organizations to have taken actions to remedy its unlawful behavior by reopening its Jerzees de Honduras factory and allowing workers to exercise their right to organize as guaranteed under Honduran and international labor laws.”
Sen. Demic Tipitino said he opposes the anti-Russell resolution, calling it “something the Senate should not be getting involved in. It’s between the University and Russell.” He said he respects the intent of the broader resolution, though he would not say whether he would support it.
“I don’t like the way it was phrased. But I’m not going to vote until I vote,” he said.
Sen. Carina Miller said she will support the fair labor resolution but was undecided on the Russell resolution. Sen. Lidiana Soto, who supports the broader resolution, said she will not attend the meeting. Tipitino said Sen. Tyler Scandalios, a fellow outspoken conservative who voted against the fair labor resolution last week, also will not be at the meeting.
The fair labor resolution’s sponsor, Sen. Nick Schultz, predicted the measure will pass. He expressed some reservation about the anti-Russell resolution, but said it will likely pass with some amendments.
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Bills target Russell, fair labor practices
Daily Emerald
May 12, 2009
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