Most American sweatshops closed decades ago. Georgetown apparel manufacturer New Era, however, is keeping the tradition alive. Conditions at the company’s Alabama factory are abysmal, with union-busting that would embarrass Pinkerton. Georgetown’s contract with New Era will run out in June.
Instead of waiting until then to disassociate from this disgrace, the administration should end the contract now.
Labor abuses began after workers contacted to Teamsters Union to talk about organizing, according to the head of Washington’s NAACP chapter, Hilary Shelton.
Discrimination aimed at pro-union workers began shortly afterward, with management allegedly punishing workers by taking their chairs away and withholding food stamps.
Responding to the allegations, the National Labor Relations Board launched an investigation of the factory. The Workers Rights’ Consortium, a group used by universities to investigate factory conditions, attempted to visit New Era, but company officials gave them the cold shoulder, saying that the NLRB investigation would be enough.
A code of conduct clause in the University’s license with New Era states that the company must allow the WRC to conduct investigations when it has received allegations of abuse.
Lamarr Billups, Chairman of Georgetown’s Licensing Oversight Committee, said the committee will probably advise administrators with influence over the decision, like Vice President of Public Affairs Daniel Porterfield and Senior Vice President Spiros Dimolitsas, not to renew the contract and may suggest termination.
While Billups noted that legal complications could forestall the termination process, this threat should not stop Georgetown from terminating the contract as soon as possible.
The University of Wisconsin already terminated its contract with New Era in January.
A university as committed to social justice as Georgetown should follow Wisconsin’s example and show manufacturers that the age of sweatshops is past.
