BE IT RESOLVED:
1.The New Mexico State University will withdraw from the Fair Labor Association (FLA) because the FLA's pro-corporate bias makes it inherently unable to be an
unbiased advocate for ending the sweatshop conditions in which NMSU campus apparel is currently manufactured;
2.The New Mexico State University join the Workers Rights Consortium (WRC) so that the
NMSU may give greater weight and credibility to making effective the human rights
principles for which the NMSU stands, and that, in so doing, the
NMSU assume a leadership role in the WRC;
3. I urge the University to adopt a strong and comprehensive Code of Conduct for apparel
licensees of New Mexico State University. This Code of Conduct should be designed to set standards for working conditions in the factories where
NMSU licensed apparel is made, and include the following provisions:
1. Workers making campus apparel should be paid a living wage allowing them to meet their basic needs.
2. Workers making campus apparel should be free from all forced overtime, harassment, abuse and discrimination.
3. Workers making campus apparel should have the right to a safe and healthy work environment.
4. Workers making campus apparel should have the right to freedom of association and collective bargaining.
4. I urge NMSU to make licensees publicly disclose the names and addresses of all factories or contractors they used to make NMSU licensed apparel. These factories will be contacted and asked to sign the above Code of Conduct.
4. I urge that New Mexico State University administration search for and adopt complementary additional strategies to promote workers rights in the global workplace;
and
5. New Mexico State University continue to consult with concerned groups such as Students Against Sweatshops,
Workers Rights Consortium, and others that have shown commitment to the
elimination of sweatshop subcontracting by firms providing campus
apparel..
By taking these actions, I believe New Mexico State
University will be able to build upon, and add to, its long history of leadership in promoting and protecting human rights.
Sincerely,
Proposed by Professor David Boje February 22, 2001
See http://business.nmsu.edu/~dboje/nmsu/nmsu_products.html for listing of NMSU campus apparel products, analysis, and recommendations.