UNC Student Action with Workers Designated Suppliers Program Movement

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) Student Action with Workers (SAW) Designated Suppliers Program (DSP) movement, or the UNC SAW DSP movement, is a local social movement attempting to have the University agree to abide by the Designated Suppliers Program (DSP) in order to help support improvements in the working conditions of the workers who make the University’s apparel.[1]

The Designated Suppliers Program (DSP) was presented to the UNC Administration by the Student Action with Workers organization in 2005. For the past four years, the Student Action with Workers organization (SAW) has been working towards having the University adopt the Designated Suppliers Program (DSP) to "show that UNC respects the rights of garment workers who make (their) licensed apparel".[2]

Background Information

Purpose of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) Student Action with Workers (SAW) organization’s Designated Suppliers Program (DSP) Movement

The Student Action with Workers organization at UNC have started this campaign with the goal to one day have the University affiliate with the Designated Suppliers Program (DSP) and, in turn, support the rights of the workers in the garment industry that make many of the University’s licensed apparel. The members of the UNC SAW campaign believe many of the factory workers that create the University’s apparel deserve better working conditions and wages. They support these workers and help fight for their rights by trying to convince the University’s Administration to agree to affiliate with the Designated Suppliers Program (DSP).

Designated Suppliers Program (DSP)

"The Designated Suppliers Program (DSP) is a procurement standard proposed by the Worker Rights Consortium (WRC) and United Students Against Sweatshops (USAS)." The Designated Suppliers Program (DSP) is designed to help protect the rights of the garment workers who make university logo apparel.[3]

When a university agrees to become a licensee of the DSP, they are then required to source most of their university logo apparel from supplier factories that have been determined to be in compliance with the DSP’s obligations to respect the rights of their employees, specifically "the right to organize and bargain collectively and the right to be paid a living wage".[4]

Factory Standards to Qualify as a Designated Supplier

Licensee (University) Obligations under the Designated Suppliers Program (DSP)

UNC’s Licensing Labor Code (1999-Present)

Under the recommendation of the University’s Licensing Labor Code Advisory Committee, the University adopted a labor code in February 1999 that helped support fair working conditions in the factories that produced the University’s logoed apparel. The University also became paying members of the Worker Rights Consortium (WRC) and the Fair Labor Association (FLA) to help facilitate implementation and enforcement of the Licensing Labor Code that had been adopted.[12]

According to the Licensing Labor Code adopted, the University is required to only affiliate with licensees that:[13]

Under the Licensing Labor Code, the licensees are also required to disclose the location of the factories where the University’s logoed apparel is being produced to the University. The University then gives these lists of locations to the Worker Rights Consortium (WRC) and the Fair Labor Association (FLA). The University’s Licensing Labor Code Advisory Committee (LLCAC) would manage any inquiries in or problems with the implementation and enforcement of the Licensing Labor Code.[14]

Arguments against the Designated Suppliers Program (DSP)

The Designated Suppliers Program (DSP) was brought to the University’s attention in the Fall of 2005 because many believed that the University’s Licensing Labor Code was ineffective and unenforced. After being reviewed by the University’s Licensing Labor Code Advisory Committee (LLCAC) and Chancellor Moeser, the University rejected the program citing these arguments as their main concerns with the proposal:[15]

Arguments in favor the Designated Suppliers Program (DSP)

The Student Action with Workers (SAW) organization believes that the university is ineffectively upholding their labor codes. There is a strong lack of enforcement against suppliers that are not in compliance with the Licensing Labor Code, and the "codes still allow UNC apparel to be made under sweatshop conditions, including poverty wages and no freedom of association."[16] Even the members of the University’s Licensing Labor Code Advisory Committee (LLCAC) agree that the University "should seek to improve the effectiveness of the University’s Licensing Labor Code of Conduct adopted in 1999."[17] A study conducted by the Worker Rights Consortium (WRC) was presented on April 1, 2008 at the University’s Licensing Labor Code Advisory Committee (LLCAC) meeting. In this study, 1,000 factories in 12 countries that produce collegiate apparel were researched and the WRC found many violations. Out of the 1,000 factories surveyed, listed below are the percentage that were found to be in violation of rights that should be protected under the University’s Licensing Labor Code:[18]

•92% – forced overtime

•92% - verbal abuse

•94% – violated freedom of association

•84% - did not explain pay

•71% – excessive overtime

•59% – did not pay legally mandated overtime

Finally, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) is a top seller of licensed apparel in America, therefore many SAW members believe that having the University sign on to affiliate with the Designated Suppliers Program (DSP) will then cause the campaign to reach great success nationally.[19]

Student Action with Workers (SAW) Information

Student Action with Workers (SAW) was founded at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) in 2003.[20]

SAW’s goal is to mobilize "support for labor solidarity campaigns, especially with local and campus workers and workers around the world who manufacture UNC-CH licensed apparel."6 They hope to raise awareness and help support the resolution of the injustices against the workers in the UNC community. They also wish to "build solidarity between students and workers."[21]

"SAW is an affiliate member of United Students Against Sweatshops (USAS), a national student labor solidarity network."[22]

Student Action with Workers (SAW) Allies

Local Allies[23]

•SURGE

•UE Local 150, or The North Carolina Public Service Workers' Union

•UNC Employee Forum

•UNC Progressive Faculty Network

•NC HOPE Coalition

•Historic Thousands on Jones Street (HKONJ)

•Chapel Hill – Carrboro NAACP

National Allies[24]

•FLA Watch, or The Fair Labor Association (FLA) Watch

Jobs With Justice

•United Students Against Sweatshops (USAS)

•Worker Rights Consortium (WRC)

Student Action with Workers (SAW) Designated Suppliers Program (DSP) Campaign Activity

April 1999 – Sit-in at Interim Chancellor McCoy’s Office •UNC students affiliated with United Students Against Sweatshops (USAS), held a sit-in for four days in interim Chancellor Bill McCoy’s South Building office. Their demands were for the University to set in place labor codes of conduct, require licensees to disclose the locations of their factories, and to have UNC affiliate with the Worker Rights Consortium (WRC).[25] •The sit-in was a success and all of their demands were met.

Fall 2005 – Presenting the Designated Suppliers Program (DSP) •The Student Action with Workers (SAW) organization presents the Designated Suppliers Program (DSP) to Chancellor Moeser and the University’s Licensing Labor Code Advisory Committee (LLCAC) and asks to meet with Chancellor Moeser to discuss the issues, but is not allowed a chance to do so.[26]

August 2007 – Rejection of the Designated Suppliers Program (DSP) •"Chancellor Moeser officially rejects the DSP, and pulls UNC out of the DSP working group."[27]

November 2007 – Letter from SAW to Chancellor Moeser •A letter protesting Chancellor Moeser’s decision to reject the DSP is presented to Chancellor Moeser, yet he refuses to respond to any of the SAW members concerns.[28]

April 10, 2008 – Information Table in the Historic Quad, (also known as Polk Place)

April 16, 2008 – Deadline and Meeting with Chancellor Moeser

April 17 – May 2, 2008 – Sit-in at Chancellor Moeser’s Office

August 18, 2008 – SAW Sit-in Protestors Found Guilty

Conclusion

Even though the University has yet to agree to accept the Designated Suppliers Program (DSP), the Student Action with Workers Designated Supplier Program Movement will continue on. The supporters will continue to fight to try and help support the rights of the garment workers who produce our university apparel. Linda Gomaa, an active SAW member and one of the 5 members who were arrested after the 16 day sit-in at Chancellor Moeser’s office, spoke for the SAW members in response to Chancellor Moeser’s rejection of the Designated Suppliers Program (DSP) and said, "We refused to take his inaction as a defeat."[34] The Student Action with Workers (SAW) organization at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) continues to fight for the acceptance of the Designated Suppliers Program (DSP) by the University to help battle sweatshop labor production of university apparel.

References

  1. "5.DSP Campaign." UNC-CH Student Action with Workers. Student Action with Workers, Web. 29 Oct 2009. <http://uncsaw.wordpress.com/dsp-campaign/>.
  2. "5.DSP Campaign." UNC-CH Student Action with Workers. Student Action with Workers, Web. 29 Oct 2009. <http://uncsaw.wordpress.com/dsp-campaign/>.
  3. "Designated Suppliers Program." Worker Rights Consortium (WRC). 2007. WRC, Web. 29 Oct 2009. <http://www.workersrights.org/DSP/Designated%20Suppliers%20Program%20-%20Revised.pdf>.
  4. "Designated Suppliers Program." Worker Rights Consortium (WRC). 2007. WRC, Web. 29 Oct 2009. <http://www.workersrights.org/DSP/Designated%20Suppliers%20Program%20-%20Revised.pdf>.
  5. "Designated Suppliers Program." Worker Rights Consortium (WRC). 2007. WRC, Web. 29 Oct 2009. <http://www.workersrights.org/DSP/Designated%20Suppliers%20Program%20-%20Revised.pdf>.
  6. "Designated Suppliers Program." Worker Rights Consortium (WRC). 2007. WRC, Web. 29 Oct 2009. <http://www.workersrights.org/DSP/Designated%20Suppliers%20Program%20-%20Revised.pdf>.
  7. "Designated Suppliers Program." Worker Rights Consortium (WRC). 2007. WRC, Web. 29 Oct 2009. <http://www.workersrights.org/DSP/Designated%20Suppliers%20Program%20-%20Revised.pdf>.
  8. "Designated Suppliers Program." Worker Rights Consortium (WRC). 2007. WRC, Web. 29 Oct 2009. <http://www.workersrights.org/DSP/Designated%20Suppliers%20Program%20-%20Revised.pdf>.
  9. "Designated Suppliers Program." Worker Rights Consortium (WRC). 2007. WRC, Web. 29 Oct 2009. <http://www.workersrights.org/DSP/Designated%20Suppliers%20Program%20-%20Revised.pdf>.
  10. "Designated Suppliers Program." Worker Rights Consortium (WRC). 2007. WRC, Web. 29 Oct 2009. <http://www.workersrights.org/DSP/Designated%20Suppliers%20Program%20-%20Revised.pdf>.
  11. "Designated Suppliers Program." Worker Rights Consortium (WRC). 2007. WRC, Web. 29 Oct 2009. <http://www.workersrights.org/DSP/Designated%20Suppliers%20Program%20-%20Revised.pdf>.
  12. "UNC's Licensing Labor Code." Trademarks and Licensing. 15 Oct 2009. UNC Trademarks and Licensing, Web. 29 Oct 2009. <http://www.licensing.unc.edu/New/General/WelcomeWorkplace.htm>.
  13. "UNC's Licensing Labor Code." Trademarks and Licensing. 15 Oct 2009. UNC Trademarks and Licensing, Web. 29 Oct 2009. <http://www.licensing.unc.edu/New/General/WelcomeWorkplace.htm>.
  14. "UNC's Licensing Labor Code." Trademarks and Licensing. 15 Oct 2009. UNC Trademarks and Licensing, Web. 29 Oct 2009. <http://www.licensing.unc.edu/New/General/WelcomeWorkplace.htm>.
  15. Lochbaum, Derek, and Peacock, James. "To Chancellor Moeser." 08 May 2006. Print.
  16. Gomaa, Linda. "Students arrested supporting workers’ rights." Workers World. 11 May 2008. Workers World, Web. 29 Oct 2009. <http://www.workers.org/2008/us/students_0515/>.
  17. Lochbaum, Derek, and Peacock, James. "To Chancellor Moeser." 08 May 2006. Print.
  18. "3. Why are we here?." dsp4unc. 2008. Student Action with Workers, Web. 29 Oct 2009. <http://dsp4unc.wordpress.com/why-are-we-here/>.
  19. "3. Why are we here?." dsp4unc. 2008. Student Action with Workers, Web. 29 Oct 2009. <http://dsp4unc.wordpress.com/why-are-we-here/>.
  20. "1. About Us." UNC-CH Student Action with Workers. Student Action with Workers, Web. 29 Oct 2009. <http://uncsaw.wordpress.com/about/>.
  21. "1. About Us." UNC-CH Student Action with Workers. Student Action with Workers, Web. 29 Oct 2009. <http://uncsaw.wordpress.com/about/>.
  22. "1. About Us." UNC-CH Student Action with Workers. Student Action with Workers, Web. 29 Oct 2009. <http://uncsaw.wordpress.com/about/>.
  23. "5.DSP Campaign." UNC-CH Student Action with Workers. Student Action with Workers, Web. 29 Oct 2009. <http://uncsaw.wordpress.com/dsp-campaign/>.
  24. "5.DSP Campaign." UNC-CH Student Action with Workers. Student Action with Workers, Web. 29 Oct 2009. <http://uncsaw.wordpress.com/dsp-campaign/>.
  25. "Timeline of Labor Struggles at UNC." dsp4unc. 2008. Student Action with Workers, Web. 29 Oct 2009. <http://dsp4unc.wordpress.com/timeline-of-struggle/>.
  26. "Timeline of Labor Struggles at UNC." dsp4unc. 2008. Student Action with Workers, Web. 29 Oct 2009. <http://dsp4unc.wordpress.com/timeline-of-struggle/>.
  27. "Timeline of Labor Struggles at UNC." dsp4unc. 2008. Student Action with Workers, Web. 29 Oct 2009. <http://dsp4unc.wordpress.com/timeline-of-struggle/>.
  28. "Timeline of Labor Struggles at UNC." dsp4unc. 2008. Student Action with Workers, Web. 29 Oct 2009. <http://dsp4unc.wordpress.com/timeline-of-struggle/>.
  29. Gilmore, Davie. "Students protest UNC's sweatshop involvement." Daily Tarheel 11 APR 2008: n. pag. Web. 29 Oct 2009. < http://www.dailytarheel.com/content/students-protest-uncs-sweatshop-involvement>.
  30. "Timeline of Labor Struggles at UNC." dsp4unc. 2008. Student Action with Workers, Web. 29 Oct 2009. <http://dsp4unc.wordpress.com/timeline-of-struggle/>.
  31. "Timeline of Labor Struggles at UNC." dsp4unc. 2008. Student Action with Workers, Web. 29 Oct 2009. <http://dsp4unc.wordpress.com/timeline-of-struggle/>.
  32. Gomaa, Linda. "Students arrested supporting workers’ rights." Workers World. 11 May 2008. Workers World, Web. 29 Oct 2009. <http://www.workers.org/2008/us/students_0515/>.
  33. "UNC protesters guilty, but sweat-free." INDYWEEK.com. 20 Aug 2008. INDY, Web. 29 Oct 2009. <http://www.indyweek.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid:262699>.
  34. Gomaa, Linda. "Students arrested supporting workers’ rights." Workers World. 11 May 2008. Workers World, Web. 29 Oct 2009. <http://www.workers.org/2008/us/students_0515/>.

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