Laboring for Change
University officials, to save money and to support workers, should resign from the Fair Labor Association and continue membership in the Worker Rights Consortium.
As a result of an unusually tight budget, UNC administrators say they might have to withdraw the University's membership from one of two watchdog organizations that monitor labor practices in factories where University apparel is made.
The University paid $41,000 in membership dues to each the Fair Labor Association and the Worker Rights Consortium during the last fiscal year.
During such a tenuous fiscal situation, UNC officials are right to reconsider University membership in both organizations -- and they should resign membership in the FLA.
Although each organization has the same goal -- to ensure that apparel manufacturers adhere to strict labor standards -- the WRC and the FLA employ different approaches to bring about change.
Both groups provide effective means for the University to monitor the apparel factories making UNC paraphernalia.
But each organization has its weaknesses.
Advocates of the WRC point out that the group operates independently of the manufacturing industry and tends to work more aggressively to report violations. Unfortunately, the more stringent investigation is coupled with an inability to enforce standards and correct problems, as the WRC can only report violations.
The FLA includes among its voting members representatives from the very apparel manufacturing companies that operate the factories in question. Student activists regularly decry the corporate presence in the FLA, urging UNC officials to withdraw from the organization.
But because of that corporate representation, the FLA carries more clout than the WRC. Representatives from the apparel manufacturing industry effectively allow the FLA to influence corporate policy.
University officials must lend their full support to the Worker Rights Consortium.
The more aggressive investigative approach employed by the WRC can only reinforce the University's dedication to fair labor practices. And while the WRC lacks the ability to enforce regulation, UNC has the influence necessary to effect change.
UNC is the national leader among universities in apparel sales, which translates into a great deal of influence over companies.
Scott Nova, executive director of the Worker Rights Consortium, visited UNC last week and told University's licensing committee that UNC is the most powerful collegiate influence on the apparel manufacturing regulations.
But the ability to ensure fair labor conditions exists if, and only if, University officials are thoroughly informed of the nature and frequency of violations in factories. The WRC's stricter inspection standards enable it to better aid UNC officials in the struggle for fair labor conditions.
University officials repeatedly have stated their intention to fight for the fair treatment of apparel factory workers and should retain UNC's membership in the Worker Rights Consortium.
A united effort by the University and the WRC will strengthen UNC's commitment to fair labor practices and ensure that the workers who produce UNC apparel are guaranteed decent working conditions.
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