MSA asks 'U' to apply committee's code

By Carrie Thorson

Daily Staff Reporter

Last night the Michigan Student Assembly passed two resolutions asking the University to enforce labor codes implemented in Nike factories that produce apparel with the University's logo.

The first resolution asks that the University apply its new labor code of conduct in all areas where the production of logo goods is involved. It passed with a vote of 27 - 3.

The resolution refers to the labor code of conduct is a drafted by the University's Advisory Committee on Labor Standards and Human Rights.

"You should put pressure on Nike to meet standards that you as a student who wears the maize-and-blue 'M' would represent," LSA Rep. Reza Breakstone said.

Yesterday the University announced that it has signed a seven-year deal with Nike that amounts to at least $25 million.

The deal is not based on the University's code of conduct. Instead the University signed the deal to include a code written by the Collegiate Licensing Committee.

In the second resolution MSA encourages University President Lee Bollinger to tell Nike that if the company does not resolve its alleged problems in one of its Mexico-based factories in 30 days, then the University should terminate its contract with the shoe company.

Workers at Nike's factory in Puebla, Mexico, who are trying to form their own union, were attacked by police, said Students Organizing for Labor and Economic Equality member Ari Paul, an RC freshman. The resolution passed with a vote of 26 - 4.

Members of SOLE, along with various MSA representatives, alleged that Bollinger has not kept to his word of enforcing high labor standards for the past two years.

Bollinger signed the contract with Nike two days before the University's Advisory Committee on Labor Standards and Human Rights released its draft of a labor code of conduct.

"MSA put faith in the process (of new labor codes) ... and Bollinger signed the Nike contracts two days before they completed the codes," School of Social Work Rep. Diego Bernal said.

"We're just asking President Bollinger to be honest about the things he says he does," Bernal added.

Peace and Justice Commission chair Justin Wilson disagreed with the assembly's stance on the issue.

"You're acting bluntly, instructing the University president in a matter where he has done a lot more research and knows more than you do," Wilson said.

RC senior Peter Romer-Friedman's encouraged members of the assembly to think of human life over codes of conduct before voting on the resolutions.

Rackham Rep. Jessica Curtin's proposal to change the way the assembly elects chairs of committees from secret ballot to a show of hands failed with a vote of 17 - 16.

When Wilson asked Curtin if her motives were to go back and retroactively change the vote that ousted her as chair of the Peace and Justice commission, she said yes.

"I think it was a very undemocratic action taken by a majority of one led by Jim Secreto," Curtin said.

"We want the best people to be chairs ... and be able to do it without threat or pressure," said Jim Secreto, the assembly's vice president.