At Protest, Activists Fault UC Over Sweatshop Labor

Holding signs and chanting, more than 100 students and UC union members crowded Sproul Plaza yesterday in protest of what they said was UC's sale of merchandise and use of uniforms made in sweatshops.

Members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees and United Students Against Sweatshops donned orange wrist bands as they pushed the university to crack down on clothing contractors who use sweatshop labor to manufacture their products.

"We should hold ourselves to a higher standard, we should continue to conduct ourselves as a role model," said ASUC President Manny Buenrostro, who spoke at the rally. "Lets make sure we make this institution something we are proud of."

The rally was one of 41 taking place at various universities across the county yesterday aimed at asking

universities to enact new regulations or uphold current ones forcing merchandise licensees to produce their products in sweatshop-free factories.

Protesters urged UC to adhere to the policies outlined in the Code of Conduct, which the university signed in 2000, ensuring all contractors pay a minimum living wage to their employees, do not utilize employees younger than the age of 14, and allow for collective bargaining.

"They support fair labor policies, but instead they say we can't do that, and I think we know why," said union member Kathryn Lybarger, a gardener. "Fights never end under a system where there is a drive for profit, so we have to keep fighting."

Students also came up with creative ways to voice their concerns.

To illustrate the conditions facing workers, sophomore Katie Hills chained herself to a sewing machine with a fellow student.

"I think it's really important to provide a visual of what the workers who are making the Cal gear are going through," Hills said.

While protesters said the university has not upheld the policies laid out in the code, UC spokesperson Noel Van Nyhuis said the university does not support sweatshop labor.

"We would never want to knowingly condone business practices that would support sweatshops," Van Nyhuis said. "We have policies against those such materials being purchased by the UC and we have already offered and worked with our workers service union on that specific issue."

Still, students and union members said they are pushing administrators to take more action, starting with a meeting with officials from the office of the president next week, according to union member and event organizer Debra Grabelle.

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