University of Wisconsin Ends Nike Contract (couldn’t reasonably meet the code of conduct)

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.laborradio.org/node/13289

Submitted by Jesse Russell on April 9, 2010 - 4:19pm
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Another University contract with Nike has come to an end. The University of Wisconsin broke ties with the company on Friday due to concerns that the athletic shoe and apparel company couldn’t reasonably meet the University’s code of conduct. In a statement by Chancellor Biddy Martin Nike has not made significant strides to address ‘the plight of displaced workers and their families in Honduras. Under the University’s code of conduct company’s that are licensed to use the school’s logo are accountable for subcontractors, even if the company does not directly own the factories where the items are made. According to the University the company has failed to ensure Honduran workers at two plants that recently closed receive $2 million in severance and other pay. Martin said the decision was made after it was made clear that the two sides were at an impasse. She said the university is hopeful that Nike will take the necessary actions on behalf of the workers. Martin was the first university chancellor to take the imitative and write to the company asking that they draft a plan to assist in making sure the workers are rightfully compensated.

[midnight]

1. This is a welcome perspective. Chancellor Martin replaces Chancellor Wiley

in Wisconsin who left because the business community was as he put it: "WMC has evolved from being a strategically focused business organization to being a partisan political lobbying organization. This, combined with WMC's wealth and undeniable political influence and effectiveness, has made WMC the single biggest driver of our toxic political environment and, thus, the single biggest obstacle to the recovery of Wisconsin's economy."http://news.racinepost.com/2008/08/scorched-earth-valedictory-from-uw.html