In Context: 5 Web Perspectives On A Story In The News

Student unions for labour unions

(New York Times) The anti-sweatshop movement on American campuses got a big win this week. Russell Athletic, one of the primary targets of the nationwide student movement, announced that it would rehire the 1,200 workers in its Honduran factory who were fired in January when they moved to unionize. United Students Against Sweatshops persuaded almost 100 colleges and universities to boycott the brand after the events in January - some severing contracts for university apparel worth millions of dollars. But now that Russell has reinstated those fired workers and pledged not to fight unionization, many of those universities are considering renewing their contracts with Russell. Here are five ways to look at the situation. Try them on and see how they fit.

1.

Students against sweatshops

United Students Against Sweatshops
This is the group that started it all. United Students Against Sweatshops is a grassroots organization run by students across the United States, promising "student-labor solidarity since 1997." Based in Washington D.C., the organization aims to bring students together to effect change in labour conditions around the world through student action. If you liked what they did for Honduran workers, check out this website for some good old fashioned activist gloating.

2.

Let the sweatpants speak for themselves

Russell Athletic
Russell Athletic is one of the largest sporting apparel retailers in the United States. Owned by Fruit of the Loom - and, ultimately, Warren Buffett - the brand outfits colleges and universities across North America as well as many minor sports leagues. But they've taken a lot of flack lately on this Honduras issue, so it seems only fair that the company should get to speak for itself. This press release, published in March, is a direct response to accusations by activist groups, including USAS.

3.

How labour it works

Institute for Research on Labor and Employment Library at University of California, Berkeley
The University of California, Berkeley, is one of the top research universities in the United States. This unique library aims to collect information of all kinds about labour and workplace issues. To that end, it boasts a print collection of more than 45,000 volumes as well as an extensive digital database. This is the go-to place for research on labour issues, especially labour history. But there's also tons of information on both domestic and international policies today. If you want to understand what those students are so angry about, spend some time on this site.

4.

America knows best

U.S. Department of State
The U.S. Department of State is responsible for America's foreign policy and diplomatic action, as well as keeping historical documentation of those policies. The department is led by Seceretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, but it has embassies in more than 190 countries. The department's Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor keeps records of all the countries it deals with, including Honduras. Here, as of 2006, is the way America sees the country of Honduras and its "respect for human rights."

5.

At least we’re learning?

National Film Board of Canada
The National Film Board of Canada is a government-funded organization that produces documentaries and alternative features for the people of Canada. Founded in 1939 by John Grierson, father of the documentary, the NFB has won more than 5,000 awards since then and been on the forefront of documentary filmmaking. The Coca-Cola Case by Carmen Garcia and German Goutierrez follows the fallout after the Stop Killer-Coke! Campaign that tried to hold the company accountable for human rights violations in Columbia, Guatemala and Turkey. Watch this trailer to see the kinds of issues at play in the anti-Russell campaign for yourselves.