Brand writes letter to Nike

Responding to a call to action from the Workers Rights Consortium, IU President Myles Brand wrote a letter to Nike Feb. 5, expressing concern that it might have violated its workers' rights at a Mexico factory.\nThe independent labor rights monitoring group announced Jan. 25 that Kukdong International, a subcontractor for Nike, was violating fair labor practices. Kukdong produced logo apparel for many universities, including IU. \nThe Consortium's preliminary report alleged multiple counts of violations of workers' rights. It said college and university officials should write letters to Nike expressing concern about the violations and requesting Nike guarantee workers can get back to their jobs safely.\nIU's Advisory Committee met Jan. 30 to discuss the situation and advised Brand to write the letter, said Dean of Students Richard McKaig, who chaired the committee. Brand sent a letter Feb. 5 to Dusty Kidd, Nike's global director for labor practices, expressing concerns about the allegations. \nAccording to the letter, Brand supports the consortium but acknowledges Nike's efforts to correct the problem. \n"We are pleased to hear that two independent observers are now on the site to guarantee that workers' rights to their jobs will be protected in accordance with Mexican labor laws," the letter said.\nKidd said not all of the workers have returned. Some are "waiting until they feel more certain that they can come back to the factory without any retaliation for having left," Kidd said. "Some are probably waiting until they are certain that no action will be taken against (workers) who participated in the work stoppage in January. Others have been held away from the factory by family members concerned for their safety."\nScott Nova, executive director for the consortium, said the Consortium's primary goal was to get workers back to their jobs. \n"A corner was turned (Monday)," Nova said. \nHe said two leaders who were illegally fired for organizing an independent union were rehired Feb.19. Nova said the written agreements between the workers and management will be finalized today and could encourage other workers to return.\nNova said it was important to note that while there might be signs of hope, continued reform is necessary. \nNike and Reebok should continue to pressure Kukdong management, all the workers need to return, and those workers must be granted freedom of association to choose their own union leaders, Nova said.\nMcKaig said the University decided to join the consortium because it is the right thing to do. Last year IU required all of its licensees to respond to a request for full public disclosure of labor practices or terminate University contracts, McKaig said. \nNo Sweat! member Nancy Steffan, a junior, said she questioned Nike's commitment to the workers. She said if Nike really cared, monitors would be in the Kukdong factory and all of the workers would have returned to their positions. \nSteffan said she was "disappointed in President Brand's letter because it didn't really ask Nike to do anything."\nIt appears parties associated with the Kukdong situation are at least aware of the problem and its human rights imperative, Kidd said. \n"I can't say for certain where this path will lead, but the people in our compliance department, including a Mexican national who has been working hourly with the factory, the monitor and other parties, are committed to do everything we can to make this situation better," he said.