Hunger strikers, CU reach compromise on apparel

Bill Scanlon, Rocky Mountain News

Published April 28, 2006 at midnight

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BOULDER - Thirteen hunger strikers sucked on organic oranges and strawberries Thursday after they reached a compromise with University of Colorado officials on dealing with Nike, Champion and other makers of CU apparel.

"I've lost over 10 pounds," CU engineering graduate student Tim Hillman, one of the seven who started the hunger strike 15 days ago, said on the terrace of CU's student union. "I've been eating a whole lot of not much - a lot of water, some lemon juice, cayenne pepper, maple syrup.

The CU hunger strikers wanted university officials to abide by the Designated Supplier Program, a national proposal that asks universities to refuse to do business with companies that don't let their workers collectively bargain for wages.

CU officials wouldn't agree to the union mandate, saying they want to honor a worker's right to join or not join a union, Paul Tabolt, vice chancellor for administration said. But CU did agree to "get a place at the table" in talks with companies.

"I'll ask Nike and Champion and the others what are the strengths and weaknesses of the students' Designated Supplier Program - what they can do to improve it and make it work," Tabolt said.

CU also issued a statement that it requires all licensees who provide CU sweatshirts, hats and other apparel "to adhere to a code of conduct that calls for safe and humane working conditions and fair wages."

"Licensees are expected to conduct business with honesty, integrity, trustworthiness, and respect for the intrinsic value of each human being. CU-Boulder recognizes that current enforcement of the code of conduct can and should be enhanced," the statement said.

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