s has been at the center of the campaign against apparel produced in sweatshops. With the arrest of 54 demonstrators, Bascom Hall was the battleground for students and the administration. The campaign reached its climax and sweatshops became a buzzword on college campuses.
To the demonstrators' credit, they brought to light an issue that might have been easily ignored. They forced UW to own up to the conditions of the factories that made clothes with Bucky's image. Now it's time to re-visit the matter.
The UW Board of Regents approved Friday a new sponsorship agreement with Adidas by a 10 to 4 vote. The agreement, which Chancellor John Wiley said was the best the UW would get, will allow him to request a report of Adidas' labor practices at his discretion. It is entirely at Wiley's discretion when and how often he can make such a request. The regents cannot attain a report from Adidas. If the chancellor requests a report and sees something he is concerned with, he may bring it up to the Board of Regents, but is not required to do so.
While this agreement allows for some transparency, it is a long way from the full disclosure of Adidas' working conditions we would like to see. Because Adidas has agreed that it will only give out a report of its practices at Wiley's request, it must be assumed the company is deliberately withholding certain information.
Therefore, Wiley must be pressured by the Board of Regents and by students to make Adidas publicly accountable. In his position, he can determine the standards for UW. With the power to make Adidas accountable, Wiley should not let them off the hook.
The contract the regents approved can only work if Wiley follows through. He can force Adidas' hand by demanding a report on their conditions.
It is generally acknowledged that the apparel industry is rife with questionable labor practices. Adidas just happens to be one company with which UW can currently negotiate.
Also, Regents Elizabeth Burmaster, Jesus Salas, Gerard Randall and student Regent Beth Richlein must be commended for voting against the agreement on the grounds that it does not provide full disclosure. The university's Labor Licensing Committee must now be vigilant in ensuring that the Board of Regents keeps Wiley accountable and, in effect, makes Adidas own up to its practices. With some accountability in place, the regents have to ensure that another level of accountability is present.
With this issue again in Bascom Hall, it is time for students to make it the issue it was five years ago. Though it may not be time for a sit-in, the chancellor must know that UW will not merely settle for Adidas' minimal compliance. Full disclosure can be attained, but it will take some pressure on Wiley through the Board of Regents to achieve it.
