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SGA stands against sweatshops |
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Tuesday, 03 April 2007 |
 Active Image | Refalo
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by JULIA MERCHANT
Intern News Reporter
The Student Government Association passed a motion last week calling for the university to join other schools in taking a stand against purchasing clothing manufactured in sweatshops.
Contained within the legislation were requests that Appalachian State University become a member of the Worker’s Rights Consortium, an agency that monitors where articles of clothing are produced.
SGA Sens. Kelly L. Refalo, a senior sociology major and United Students
Against Sweatshops member, and Patrick T. McCaully, a senior
interdisciplinary studies major, presented the legislation.
Refalo and McCaully explained to SGA why their legislation is
necessary, defined the university’s current licensing situation, and
proposed membership in the WRC as the ideal solution to ensuring
workers’ rights around the world.
“It’s important for students to care about the needs of people worldwide, especially when they are
directly connected to us by producing our school’s trademark garments,” McCaully said when asked
why he thought the issue of sweatshops is relevant to Appalachian.
SGA President Forrest S. Gilliam said, “Appalachian, by doing this,
could significantly reduce the amount of sweatshop labor workforce.”
By joining the Workers’ Rights Consortium, the origins and conditions
of the factories where Appalachian’s trademarked apparel comes from
would be more closely monitored. Currently, the university is
monitored under the Fair Labor Agency, or FLA.
SGA’s approval of the legislation is only one step in the process of convincing the administration to adopt the bill.
Next, USAS and SGA members are expecting feedback from the Chancellor’s
Office after they read a copy of the legislation. The bill has already
been given to both the Faculty and Graduate senates.
Though Gilliam said he hasn’t seen the final document, he said expects to pass it.
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