Columbia Univ., NY Affiliation with the Fair Labor Association

Type: Resolution

Status: Adopted on 4/30/99

Source File: http://www.columbia.edu/cu/senate/resolutions/98-99/er430.html

Text:

UNIVERSITY SENATE
RESOLUTION TO SUPPORT UNIVERSITY AFFILIATION WITH THE FAIR LABOR ASSOCIATION

WHEREAS at this time the Fair Labor Association is the only organization prepared to mount a systematic campaign to monitor and improve working conditions in the global apparel industry, and

WHEREAS the External Relations and Research Policy Committee has favorably reviewed a proposal from the Columbia Students Against Sweatshops (CSAS) that the University also research, consider and implement its own code of conduct for licensees or additional requirements for its licensees, and

WHEREAS the Committee is concerned by the absence of organized labor, students and other interested parties from the governance structure of the FLA as it stands today, but feels that there is sufficient merit despite this lack and that there is hope that this lack can be overcome in the future;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the University Senate endorse the University’s affiliation with the Fair Labor Association, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the University adopt additional requirements for its licensees beyond the FLA Code to improve on such issues as wages, working conditions, women's rights, freedom of association, independent monitoring, full public disclosure, and related matters (including those described in the whereas clauses above), and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that such additional requirements for licensees be drafted by a committee made up of Columbia students (including representatives of Columbia Students Against Sweatshops), faculty, and staff, that this committee be formed no later than September 15, 1999, and that a report of its recommendations or its progress toward recommendations be forwarded to the full Senate for consideration no later than the November 1999 meeting, and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the Senate External Relations Committee review the performance of the FLA at appropriate intervals, but initially no later than March 1, 2000, and thereafter, and that the University reserve the right to withdraw from the FLA if it is not contributing to reducing sweatshop conditions among University licensees.