Students protest Nike, Purdue apparel

By Kurt Esposito
Assistant Campus Editor

On Thursday afternoon members of Purdue Students Against Sweatshops whacked a papier-mâché Nike logo to protest an alleged sweatshop in Mexico that makes collegiate apparel.

They were joined by members of the Lafayette Local 115 chapter of the United Steelworkers of America to support striking workers of the Kukdong International-Mexico factory in Altilixco, Mexico. The workers have been on strike since Jan. 9 to protest what they claim to be unfair working conditions.

They shouted phrases like, "Can't take it no more," as they hit the 5-foot Nike logo.

The protest featured speeches by Matthew Popovich, a junior in the School of Liberal Arts; Phil Fiadino, social concerns coordinator for the St. Thomas Aquinas Center; Steve Smith, political activities coordinator for the United Steelworkers of America; and Negin Almassi, director of Purdue Students Against Sweatshops.

Most students passed by the protest, and most of those who did stop were only curious and did not stay for long.

Betsy Schilling, junior in the School of Technology, said she stopped to see what was going on, but did not want to stay because she was not concerned about it.

Neal Porter, senior in the School of Liberal Arts, did stay to protesters. He said he supports the Purdue Students Against Sweatshops but does not want to make any assumptions about the factory in Mexico.

"I think that if there is any wrongdoing, the University should do something," said Porter.

Earlier Purdue endorsed a fact-finding mission about the factory by the Worker Rights Consortium. Preliminary reports based both on that mission and one by the Fair Labor Association verified unfair working conditions allegations.

In the past, the factory has been licensed to produce apparel for the University and Nike. As of last week the factory did not currently have a contract with either Purdue or Nike.

Almassi said the organization is again asking the University to send a letter to Nike indicating Purdue wants to monitor the situation.

"It's a small step for the University to take but it makes a big difference in how Nike is going to go about their business," said Almassi.

Joe Bennett, vice president of University relations, said the University has decided not to send a letter to Nike because the reports are only preliminary. Also it has been confirmed that Nike is taking steps to remedy the situation.

He also said it does not make sense for Purdue to become directly involved in the situation since it joined the Worker Rights Consortium and Fair Labor Association, so those organizations could act on Purdue's behalf.

"It doesn't make sense for Purdue University to become directly involved every time there is a labor dispute," said Bennett. "We joined the organization in order to have the weight of the united organization."

Bennett said Purdue has sent letters to both the Worker Rights Consortium and Fair Labor Association asking those organizations to act on Purdue's behalf.

He said the University would take direct action if the problem is not alleviated in the future.

Almassi said, "I think that is it great that the University wants to do the right thing. What we're campaigning for is the urgency of doing the right thing."

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CAMPUS DESK PHONE:
(765) 743-1111 ext. 253

Campus editor: Laura Pelner

Assistant campus editors: Kurt Esposito, Dave Stephens

To send a letter to the editor, please email opinions@purdueexponent.org