UC initiates logo sweatshop policy

0 Comments | Oakland Tribune, May 12, 2006 | by Michelle Maitre, STAFF WRITER

The University of California has agreed to participate in a student-initiated program to curb the sale of logo apparel made in overseas sweatshops.

In a letter sent last week to campus chancellors, UC President Robert Dynes said the university will participate in the Designated Suppliers Program developed by United Students Against Sweatshops, a national organization that urges campuses to purchase goods only from suppliers that enforce minimum working standards.

Students staged several protests at UC Berkeley, including at least three in the nude, and at other campuses to call on Dynes to adopt the program. In April, 18 students were arrested on trespassing charges when they staged a sit-in at UC Berkeley Chancellor Robert Birgeneau's office.

"We are ecstatic," said UC Berkeley junior Lexa Grayner, a member of United Students Against Sweatshops. "It was a long struggle that took a lot of organizing, multiple protests, a lot of faculty support and a huge coalition of different civic groups."

UC will participate in the program for at least a year, Dynes wrote. Licensees will be required to buy at least 25 percent of logo apparel from factories that pay a living wage, respect unions or other workers' groups, and do business with licensees that abide by similar rules. Dynes said the 25 percent requirement could be expanded in future years.

The policy does not affect mthe production of university uniforms, which will subjected to additional review, Dynes wrote. Some employees have complained they are required to wear uniforms made in sweatshops.

The university already has regulations prohibiting the use of materials made by forced or indentured labor.

With the addition of UC's 10 campuses, 28 schools -- including Santa Clara, Georgetown and Duke universities, have adopted the Designated Suppliers Program, according the students' organization.

UC is the largest university system to adopt the program, and Grayner said she hopes it spurs other campuses to follow suit.

"It (makes) a very strong statement," she said, "and I think it's going to really impact the rest of the nation."

Contact Michelle Maitre at mmaitre@angnewspapers.com.