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Labor rights group could conflict with UA resolution

The United Students Against Sweatshops may have put their University of Arizona chapter in a tight spot with the announcement of their new Workers Rights Consortium.

The WRC mandates that the Students Against Sweatshops groups on university campuses pressure their schools to leave the Fair Labor Association, of which the UA was one of the first university members.

Surrounded by student protest that ultimately led to a 10-day sit-in at UA President Peter Likins' office last spring, the president announced that the UA had joined the FLA - a branch of the U.S. Department of Labor.

While the UA group initially opposed the Fair Labor Association, the standing agreement allows the university to remain in the group, pending stricter enforcement policies before a deadline.

Recently, the FLA has been accused of turning their back on sweatshop activity by the USAS, which was the main reason for the creation of the WRC.

SAS hasn't determined whether they'll support the WRC and therefore hasn't pushed for the UA to become a member of the consortium.

If the SAS adopts the policies of the consortium, it could cause a conflict between the university and the student activist group. While the WRC has its sights set on bringing an end to the FLA, the local student group doesn't see any reason why both organizations can't exist at the UA.

"I don't think that the UA being a member of the FLA rules out alternatives," said Avery Kolers, SAS spokesman.

Under the current resolution, the UA has years to meet the standards set out last spring. If the FLA has not met certain standards of labor rights enforcement by a set of deadlines - the final date set at March 2000 - Likins is required to withdraw from the government group.

"Reform of the FLA is mandatory if the UA is to remain a member of it." Kolers said. "At the moment we are committed to working within the FLA."

While many members of the SAS have read the WRC's policy, the task force will not make any decision until Thursday, said Lydia Lester, a member of SAS. Lester said she thinks the group will endorse the WRC.

But Likins stands by the university's membership in the group.

"Leaving the FLA hasn't ever entered my mind - it's not even an option," Likins said.

He also said the SAS has never done anything contradictory to the agreement and feels confident that a relationship with the FLA is the right direction for the university.

Whether the FLA is affected by the creation of the WRC may not be seen for a couple of years, but the SAS will continue to push for change through the FLA.

But Kolers said the student group does not believe that change will be achieved by the FLA in the allotted time.

"We're counting on the FLA being irremidial (sic)." Kolers said. "I think the two (WRC & FLA) have conflicts in spirit."