Opinion: Letter
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Jan Van Tol and Eric Hoyt’s opinion article incorrectly characterizes the conclusions of the Fair Labor Association’s summary report on Russell’s decision to close its Jerzees de Honduras factory.
Based on the totality of evidence gathered by three different independent investigators, the Fair Labor Association concluded the closure decision was made principally for business reasons, reflecting the deteriorating global economy and a significant decline in product demand.
At the same time, the FLA also concluded that inappropriate and unacceptable actions were taken, as reported by Adrian Goldin, that raise serious questions about Russell Corporation’s adherence to freedom of association and the protection of workers’ rights. The FLA presented 10 remedial steps Russell should take to improve respect for freedom of association throughout its supply chain and to mitigate the negative impact of the closure of this factory on union organizing in Honduras. Russell has agreed to take these steps throughout its supply chain.
Additionally, the FLA Board of Directors just issued a resolution at their Feb. 12 meeting that makes nine additional recommendations to Russell Corporation to address the serious allegations of violations of the freedom of association. Our board of directors includes six representatives of universities, six NGOs, six company representatives and an independent chair.
There are many approaches to protecting workers, and we have found having corporations at the table and involved in creating solutions to tough labor compliance issues heightens both their cooperation and their accountability. This is a key strength of a multi-stakeholder organization. Working together, colleges and universities, civil society organizations and socially responsible companies have been a powerful force for improving working conditions in factories and the lives of workers worldwide.
Further information about this investigation and about the FLA can be found on our website at www.fairlabor.org.
Auret van Heerden is president and CEO of the Fair Labor Association, a nonprofit organization dedicated to ending sweatshop conditions in factories worldwide.
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Look at how scared the brands! They just don’t know how to react when the Chancellor and students act in a unified fashion to support the human right to organize a labor union free of threats of violence, blacklisting, and factory closure.
7 schools have cut their contracts with Russell, and more are on the way! Keep up the good work everyone!
See the blog of United Students Against Sweatshops and the Russell workers www.reininrussell.blogspot.com.
Look at how scared the brands are getting! They just don’t know how to react when the Chancellor and students act in a unified fashion, using information from our sole labor rights monitoring organization the Workers Rights Consortium, to support the human right of workers to organize a labor union free of threats of violence, blacklisting, and factory closure.
7 schools have cut their contracts with Russell, and more are on the way! Keep up the good work everyone!
See the blog of United Students Against Sweatshops and the Russell workers www.reininrussell.blogspot.com.