Labor Licensing Policy Committee December Meeting

We had our LLPC meeting today. We got an update from the UW Bookstore guys about the new fair trade line they've been carrying. It has been very successful. They have sold more in a month than they require a line to sell in a year in order to keep purchasing it. They are still trying to diversify their fair trade clothes with other brands such as Fair Indigo, but as of right now they only have the one brand. Next we got an update on the situation at the New Era Cap Company distribution center in Mobile, Alabama. They still aren't letting the Worker Rights Consortium (WRC) conduct their investigation, which violates our contract with them, so the administration has decided that if the WRC isn't granted access to the factory by Wednesday 12/19, we will send a breach of contract letter to New Era. The committee unanimously supported this as well as publicizing our termination of the contract if it comes down to that. Next we talked about the Hermosa situation. Nothing has really changed for the workers in a long time, and we are getting different stories from Gregg Nebel (adidas bigshot) and Scott Nova (executive director of the WRC), but the committee decided that it is not our job to investigate these matters, that is what he pay the WRC to do, so we should trust what they say and the recommendations they make, and the burden of proof is on adidas. We decided that it would be beneficial to invite both Gregg Nebel and Scott Nova to our next meeting (January 25), to clear some things up, so if anyone wants to come show support, it would be appreciated. I don't know for sure if they will be able to make it or what time the meeting would be, but I'll keep everyone updated. We thought that the end of January would be a good time for them to come because there are several things that will hopefully be resolved or have progress by then. The Fair Labor Association (FLA) hired an ombudsman to oversee hiring practices at nearby factories, and that is supposed to be taking place in January. Also (this is unrelated to the specific case), I think we should hopefully be getting the Department of Justice letter about the Designated Suppliers Program (DSP) back around the end of January, so it would be nice to have them here around that time. The DSP would lead to systemic change and worker empowerment, so it's really exciting, and hopefully it will be able to be implemented soon after we get the DoJ letter back, if it is favorable. The codes of conduct are also being looked at by a committee of universities and the CLC. This should take about 6 months, I think, and suggestions will be brought to us. I think that's about it. If anyone has any questions, let me know.