ND's efforts for Sweatshop Task Force not yet complete
Letter to the Editor
We should commend the University for the first university sweatshop code and calling for full disclosure. We have read much about the administration-appointed Sweatshop Task Force. They ponder child labor, living wage, safe and healthy working conditions, discrimination against women and immigrants, etc. We know of membership in fair Labor Association (FLA), hiring of PricewaterhouseCoopers to monitor adherence of contractors to university codes, cooperation with local religious groups, presence of inept or corrupt local unions and Notre Dame's enlistment of its alumni and alumnae in several foreign countries.
Professional accounting firms have their own agendas and sometimes conflicts of interest. Experience has proven that workers view similar "monitors" as beholden to the interests of those who hire them rather than the workers' interest. Workers usually shy away from rendering frank accounts of conditions in their sweatshops. Contractors can "spruce up" their shops in 48 hours. To get caught in such a scam would be morally reprehensible for Notre Dame or any "good conscience" manufacturer or retailer.
The best insurance against undermining codes is the presence of reliable local religious, union and activist groups. They "know the territory" — actual working conditions and terms of employment of their people, as well as the "ins and outs" of local laws. Such knowledge is essential because their people trust their leaders' dedication and sincerity. No "sell out" is expected, based on past experience!
However, what to do when some religious communities or local unions have proven themselves wedded to the exploitative contractors and corrupt governments? Enter the coalition Notre Dame should and can lead with the U.S. Catholic Conference, the AFL-CIO, other religious organizations and activist groups. All these institutions have extensive contacts with domestic and international groups interested in economic justice for workers. Such a coalition is a natural for Notre Dame, committed to Catholic Social Teaching — an essential part of its Catholic character. The U.S. Catholic Conference's 1999 Labor Day Statement reminded Catholics, "All people have the right to economic initiative, to productive work, to just wages and benefits, to decent working conditions, as well as to organize and join unions or other associations." Repeatedly the Catholic President of the AFL-CIO and Iona College graduate, John Sweeney, has extolled the Catholic Social Teaching in his efforts to re-invigorate the labor movement to its early commitment to social justice.
Several years ago, a worldwide conference was held in the Vatican for directors of national social justice offices — analogous to the U.S. Catholic Conference. The consensus of these well informed people was that, given the control of so many governments by exploitative multinationals, the only way to monitor and curb abuses is by implementation of a strong coalition of national interfaith bodies, national union confederations, the United Nations International Labor Organization in Geneva and national activist groups.
Many of these religious, union and activist groups already have ties to each other and investigate and decry abuses of workers' rights. In some areas of the world, local and missionary personnel are already cooperating with local unions and activist groups to improve the conditions for workers. However, they need more financial, moral and political assistance from outside groups. Rallying more of that assistance could usher in better improvement and implementation of more than sweatshop codes. Notre Dame's recent decision to reach out to local religious and human rights groups is a step in the correct direction. However, more comprehensive strategies on an international scale are necessary.
Notre Dame's leadership, in conjunction with the U.S. Catholic Conference, the AFL-CIO and activist groups, would be a necessary additional strategy for improvement and implementation of sweatshop codes. Such a strategy would prove, over time, more effective and less expensive than Notre Dame's present strategy. Such a strategy would stir other universities to "get on board," give witness to Notre Dame's Catholic character in every sense of that much-bandied-about adjective and respond to Pope John Paul II's call for "solidarity" on behalf of worldwide workers.
Failing to respond to such a challenge, Notre Dame should at least join with other universities and the United Students Against Sweatshops to complete its objectives.
Rev. Patrick J. Sullivan , CSC
Sociology Department and Higgins Labor Research Center
November 17, 1999
All Viewpoint Stories for Monday, February 7, 2000
