Union-busting Russell Athletic losing university contracts

[marmar]

:applause:



from In These Times:




Students Won’t Sweat It
Under fire for alleged union-busting, Russell Athletic is losing university contracts around the country.

By Micah Williams


The closing of a textile factory in Honduras has led to a battle between garment manufacturer Russell Athletic and U.S. student activists—and the students appear to be winning.

In October 2008, the company closed its Jerzees de Honduras factory in the city of Choloma—its only unionized plant in the country. In the wake of the decision, thousands of students on 31 U.S. campuses have successfully pressured college administrators to cancel contracts with Russell through petitions, meetings and protests.

Reports from the Worker Rights Consortium (WRC), an international labor monitor, ruled that the closing was the culmination of Russell’s long-time efforts to break the factory’s union, of which 750 of 1,800 employees were members.

In November 2008, the WRC issued a report alleging a two-year campaign by management to eliminate the union, which it labeled the “scorched earth option.” It also said Russell’s alleged union-busting activities were “among the most brazen and systematic the WRC has ever encountered.”

In October, workers at Jerzees de Honduras declared an impasse during contract negotiations, which, under Honduran labor law, requires a government mediator and is the first step toward a legal strike. Five days later, the company announced the factory’s closure. ...........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.inthesetimes.com/article/4367/pstudents_wont_sweat_it_p

[Richard Steele]

1. K&R

[drm604]

2. K&R

:kick:

[Sunnyshine]

3. K&R

Keep it going!

[AnotherMother4Peace]

4. Good info - I received grant $ for a sports program - I know where I will NOT be buying T-shirts.

[scarletwoman]

5. k&r -- happy to hear some good news! (nt)

[Jakes Progress]

6. Jerzees, check. Russell, check.

Two products I won't be buying.

Neither will those I tell this story to.

Thanks.

[silver10]

7. K&R

Gee, I wonder why I didn't see this yet reported in any main stream media? It must have been an accidental oversight or they are just a little late, because as we all know, our main stream media is very liberal.

[CrispyQ]

8. They've been busy "keeping them honest" with their "no bias, no bull" journalism.

:eyes: :eyes: :eyes:


K&R for the OP.

[Patiod]

9. All our sweats & tees are Russell - no more

Because I hate paying for brands or logos (Nike, NFL, etc) all most all our gear is Russell.

Russell now joins Walmart, Home Depot, Domino's, Pizza Hut and Marriott on my "avoid" list. (I'm lucky I have multiple low-cost alternatives to Walmart and Home Depot, and plenty of amazing family-owned pizzarias to patronize.

[Vidar]

10. K&R.

[brentspeak]

11. Excellent