Bollinger says 'U' to work with both FLA and WRC

By Sara Fedewa

Daily Staff Reporter

A report released by University President Lee Bollinger last week called for a stronger code of conduct for licensees of University apparel, appointment of a standing advisory committee and more involvement at the national level in the effort to end unfair labor practices.

The report followed recommendations from Bollinger's Advisory Committee on Labor Standards and Human Rights. In a written statement, Bollinger said this committee was formed "to help the University define, develop and implement policies to ensure that corporations making licensed goods bearing the imprint of the University of Michigan are not engaged in unlawful or unconscionable labor practices."

The committee was comprised of four faculty members, three staff members and three students.

"It is imperative that we keep this process moving forward," Bollinger said. "The University has a long-withstanding commitment to ethically sound business practices and fundamental human rights. We must promote these practices by working with many people and organizations engaged in these issues - the licensees, manufacturers, workers, students, university and government officials and human rights activists."

Bollinger announced that although the committee was split on this issue, the University would join the Fair Labor Association, a joint body of university, industry and non-governmental organizations, on a provisional basis.

"I am convinced that the participation in the FLA adds an important option for our efforts in this area, and, in the words of the committee, are 'productive synergies' in memberships in both the WRC and the FLA," Bollinger said.

Some members of the University community were not happy with Bollinger's decision. Committee member and business administration graduate student Bryant Ison said some activist groups feel that the FLA is a front for big business, as the corporations have control over who is monitoring them and what information they choose to release.

Scott Trudeau, an LSA senior and member of Students Organizing for Labor and Economic Equality is among those unhappy with the decision.

"The FLA is, in my opinion, pretty much a corporate cover-up," Trudeau said. "The corporations get all the information first and if they don't want to release it, they don't have to."

Another complaint about the FLA is the lack of power given to universities.

Aside from the decision to join the FLA, the committee also stressed the need for the University to continue to work with other universities in an effort to create one common code among the country, eliminating the confusion of the licensees.

Ison agreed that one common code would be an asset to the anti-sweatshop movement, but said he is concerned it will be difficult for all universities to decide on common language for the code.

"It's a great idea - I think it has to happen, but I'm not sure if it will happen," Ison said. "The code might have to be so general that it might lose some of its strength."

Trudeau can see a national code as having both a positive and a negative effect on anti-sweatshop efforts."It could be used to water down strong codes, but it also could bring weaker codes up to being stronger," Trudeau said.