Activists, Likins exclude public from meetings

Wildcat File Photo Arizona Daily Wildcat Undecided UA student Lee Unangst eats lunch yesterday in the corner of UA President Peter Likins' office during the ongoing Students Against Sweatshops protest. Members of SAS have staged a sit-in on the seventh floor of the administration building since Wednesday afternoon.

Likins and eight members of Students Against Sweatshops met last night in a private meeting at 6:30 p.m. to discuss details of a university apparel labor code resolution.

The negotiations ended at about 9 p.m., and will resume this morning at 10:30 with the parties' attorneys present because they did not reach an agreement.

Likins and SAS Agree to Pursue: Fair Labor Association and Collegiate Licensing Company adoption of two or more of the following goals before March 1, 2000 and all four before August 1, 2000. The goals must also be implemented in field operations within 6 months after adoption of the following. Full public disclosure of factory addresses for apparel companies and their contractors. Assurances that all workers will receive a "living wage" by definitions to be established through independent scholarly research and consensus among such scholars. Provision for unannounced independent monitoring of factories selected without the participation of the companies whose factories, or whose contractors' factories, are being monitored. Enforcement of the rights of women workers to equal pay for equal work, for pregnancy and maternity leave, and for freedom from discrimination and sexual harassment.

Likins emerged from the building's Regents Room, telling reporters that until the negotiations are concluded, the involved parties will not comment to the press.

The group decided to close the meeting to the public because they felt outside observers would hinder the proceedings, said SAS spokesman Avery Kolers.

"There's nothing strange about closed negotiations," said Tim Bartley, a SAS member and sociology graduate student.

Outside the Regents Room's closed door, on the seventh floor of the Administration Building, the remaining protesters awaited news from their debating representatives.

Some protesters watched "Ed Wood" on a small television in the president's office lobby, while others smoked cigarettes and sang anthems out on the balcony. Protesters outside the meeting declined comment.

Jim Patten, head of the UA's Journalism department, said he understands the reasons behind the decision to close the proceedings.

"This probably means negotiations are at a sensitive point at which premature disclosure would be harmful," he said in an e-mail interview. "However, if another day or so from now the press is still on the outside looking in, I would have to wonder what's going on."

Earlier yesterday, SAS members and Likins held a press conference in the same meeting room to discuss their opinions about ending sweatshop labor.

The protesters remained dissatisfied with Likins' resolution because he does not guarantee withdrawal from the Fair Labor Association upon the stated deadline, August 2000, if human rights conditions are not fulfilled.

Members said Likins' pledge to "seek alternative means" does not ensure a reasonable timeline for implementation of their demands.

James Cook, an SAS spokesman, told the president that a strict resolution is necessary in order to keep an institution in control, regardless of Likins' pledge.

Likins, however, said that activists can trust his commitment to alter the FLA and should view him as a partner in achieving their goals.

"I'm the best ally you could ask for, and you push me away, and it hurts my feelings," he said.

SAS members insisted that it's not a matter of personal trust, but making sure the university continues to push for the cause.