On June 25, Russell Corporation became the first collegiate licensee ever to be placed on probation by the Fair Labor Association, over persistent worker rights abuses in Honduras. Despite the FLA's reputation for refusing to take strong stances with its member companies, the corporate-controlled monitoring body ruled Russell continues to violate university labor codes of conduct. Russell had relied on the FLA to stall and excuse its labor violations since United Students Against Sweatshops first raised concerns in 2007. The only other company ever placed on FLA probation is Canada-based Gildan.
The news, in conjuction with startling reports of new violations by Russell in Honduras, sparked a new wave of action by universities tired of Russell's disregard for workers rights. At least 6 universities have ended the licensing agreements with Russell since the FLA decision, launching the total number of schools over 80. The new contract cuts include University of Delaware, University of New Hampshire, Carnegie Mellon University, DePaul University, St. John's University and Denison University.
This absolutely unprecedented collegiate boycott over worker rights speaks to a major resurgence in student activism. Chapters of United Students Against Sweatshops across North America have focused on the Honduran garment workers' union campaign for nearly two years, demanding that their schools pull business away from Russell Corporation for its repeated illegal violations of workers' freedom of association. With student activists' resurgence comes a new level of sophistication. USAS has not only pressured universities to boycott Russell, but also turned up the heat on the company's major retailers and customers. Who's the highest profile target? The NBA.
Earlier this year, USAS called on David Stern, head of the National Basketball Association, to end his $125 million deal with Russell Corporation, which grants Russell the exclusive right to make Official NBA basketballs (Spalding) and backboards (Huffy Sports). While Russell rampantly violates Honduran workers' rights, the company brags that its deal with the NBA is "the largest equipmet deal in sports." 
David Stern refused to take any serious action with Russell. By the NBA Finals this June, USAS decided it was time to take to the streets to pressure perhaps Russell's most important corporate partner. Students traveled from around the country to Orlando and Los Angeles to educate NBA fans and pressure David Stern to end his $125M deal with Russell. Meanwhile, USAS mobilized over 1,000 people to write to David Stern online. Students' efforts were summarized by Professor Peter Dreier in the Huffington Post. 
And what of the 1,800 garment workers left unemployed by Russell's flagrant worker rights abuses? Despite most being jobless and blacklisted for nearly 6 months, the workers of Jerzees De Honduras (JDH) and their union SITRAJERZEESH are still fighting as strongly as ever. Hundreds of these former Russell employees met recently to strategize about their next steps forward in their fight for justice. USAS members across North America will fight with SITRAJERZEESH until Russell finally re-opens JDH, re-hires all workers who supported the union, completes the legally-mandated collective bargaining process, and agrees to major changes to protect workers freedom of association across all of its Honduras factories. ¡La lucha sigue!
For more on USAS' Russell campaign, see ReinInRussell.org
United Students Against Sweatshops (USAS) is the largest anti-sweatshop organization in history besides labor unions themselves. Chapters at universities and colleges throughout North America wage campaigns to support workers organizing for justice on their campuses, in garment factories producing university apparel, and everywhere.
- USAS's blog
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