>Subject: [newera_usas] University of Arizona terminates New Era contract
>Date: Wed, 3 Apr 2002 14:11:01 -0500
>
>http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/local/4_3_02ua_contract.html
>UA ends cap deal over rejected design
>Student activists claim victory over manufacturing firm accused of sweatshop tactics.
>ERIC WESLANDER
>Tucson Citizen
>April 3, 2002
>Student activists at the University of Arizona are celebrating the school's cancellation of its contract with baseball cap manufacturer New Era, which students accuse of using sweatshop labor.
>Michael Low, UA's director of trademarks and licensing, said the university canceled the contract about two weeks ago after the school learned the company was producing a design that had been rejected by the school.
>The student activists claim a victory, saying UA wouldn't have discovered the unauthorized caps if students hadn't pressured the administration to examine conditions in New Era factories. Low said he doesn't dispute the students' claim, but he said he's not convinced that's what happened.
>Yesterday, members of UA Students Against Sweatshops began handing out fliers on campus urging people to e-mail President Peter Likins and ask him not to reinstate the contract unless the company "bargains in good faith with its workers."
>Before the contract was canceled, the group staged a ball game on campus between "injured workers" and "cheating managers" to call attention to the issue.
>Students nationwide have been protesting what they claim are poor working conditions and intimidation of union members at a New Era factory in New York, but the company has denied wrongdoing.
>UA's code of conduct for licensees states that companies "shall recognize and respect the right of employees to freedom of association and collective bargaining."
>The code requires companies to abstain from child labor, provide safe working conditions and pay overtime.
>The unauthorized hats came from two factories in China, Low said. He said it was previously thought that the company just used factories in the United States.
>More than 20 companies are licensed to produce headgear with the UA logo, Low said. Last year, New Era paid the school about $4,100 in royalties, he said.
>Top
>
>
>------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor ---------------------~-->
>Buy Stock for $4.
>No Minimums.
>FREE Money 2002.
>http://us.click.yahoo.com/6GDALA/VovDAA/ySSFAA/9rHolB/TM
>---------------------------------------------------------------------~->
>
>To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
>newera_usas-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
>
>
>
>Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>