Student group triumphs in Honduran labor dispute
>>Print ViewPublication Date: 11/30/2009
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A Purdue student organization helped save thousands of jobs for factory workers in Honduras.
Purdue’s Organization for Labor Equality came together with a number of other University labor groups against Russell Athletic. The company, which produces athletic apparel, is the largest private employer in Honduras.
POLE was the eighth organization to take issue with the company for closing one of their factories in order to avoid recognizing a workers’ union.
Earlier this month, Russell Athletic reached an agreement with the Sitrajerzeesh union to reopen the apparel factory and fully recognize the union. The company will also rehire all workers, provide compensation for lost wages and establish a fund to provide social services for their employees.
The agreement between Russell Athletic and the Sitrajerzeesh union marks a huge victory for workers rights in Central America, said Gautam Kumaraswamy, POLE member and a junior in the College of Engineering.
“What this shows is that workers who make Purdue apparel can win if they fight for their rights,” he said. “In addition, Russell, which is the largest private employer in Honduras, has agreed to an unprecedented union neutrality agreement in all of its plants. This is a breakthrough for the right to organize in one of the harshest labor rights environments in the world.”
Purdue had a contract with Russell Athletic, but suspended it last February. Kumaraswamy said POLE was active in educating administrators.
“During that semester we did an action where we delivered a letter, as well as 1,200 balloons that represented all the workers who were illegally going to be fired,” he said. “On Feb. 11, the Honduran union president and vice president came to Purdue, where they met with Pablo Malavenda to detail the violations and ask for the University to terminate the contract with Russell.”
Since the reopening of the factory, POLE is now investigating labor abuses by the Nike Corporation in Honduran factories. Kumaraswamy said the organization has contacted Purdue administrators and is eager to begin communication on the issue.
It is important for students to get involved in international causes, said Rita Dongas, POLE alumna. People who devote their time, energy and intellect to a cause can build international solidarity at a university level.
“I hope the recent victories in Honduras encourage more people to get involved with the organization and realize the powerful impact they can have as supporters, organizers and activists in the international labor movement,” she said.