Last updated: July 26, 2010
UW-Madison has been a leader among colleges and universities working to curb sweatshop abuses in licensed-apparel manufacturing.
The university has contracts allowing more than 450 companies to make products bearing the university's name or logos. The products are made in approximately 3,300 factories in 47 countries worldwide.
As part of university standards, brands and suppliers are required to adhere to a code of conduct. The code addresses workers' wages, working hours, overtime compensation, child labor, forced labor, health and safety, nondiscrimination, harassment or abuse, women's rights, freedom of association and full public disclosure of factory locations.
If violations occur, a licensee has the opportunity to correct the problem or have its relationship with the university terminated.
UW-Madison has been persistent in its leadership on the issue and developed innovative policies, modeled by other universities across the country.
Latest News: UW-Madison applauds Nike response on Honduran factories
The University of Wisconsin-Madison's decision to end its licensing agreement with Nike over the treatment of Honduran factory workers has had a major, positive impact.
UW-Madison action on Labor Licensing Issues
- UW-Madison to end Nike licensing relationship April 9, 2010
- Russell Athletic relationship will end Feb. 5, 2009
- New UW sweatshirt promotes environment, fair trade Sept. 8, 2008
- University pursues Hermosa closure April 3, 2008
- UW-Madison terminates New Era contract Jan. 29, 2008
- ‘Fair trade’ UW apparel now available Nov. 28, 2007
- UW-Madison continues anti-sweatshop campaign Sept. 20, 2007
- Adidas pledges new efforts for Hermosa workers May 21, 2007
- Hermosa efforts moving forward April 10, 2007
- UW-Madison will act on Hermosa situation March 14, 2007
- Chancellor John Wiley response to Labor Licensing Policy Committee on Hermosa factory situation March 13, 2007
- UW-Madison continues anti-sweatshop efforts Sept. 27, 2006
- UW-Madison reaffirms commitment to licensing proposal March 21, 2006
- University to launch pilot for licensed apparel Jan. 17, 2006
- Wiley, committee members meet about sweatshop abuses May 10, 2005
- Wiley: Progress, collaboration on licensing must continue April 7, 2005
- 'Designated suppliers' pilot launched for licensed apparel Dec. 13, 2005
- UW-Madison to host labor licensing conference March 9, 2004
- Wage disclosure moves forward for licensees Jan. 27, 2004
Additional Documents
- March 2007 LLPC minutes
- February 2007 LLPC minutes
- Designated Supplies Program Working Group Minutes February 2007
- December 2006 LLPC minutes
- October 2006 LLPC minutes
- September 2006 LLPC minutes
- April 2006 LLPC minutes
- March 2006 LLPC minutes
- Apparel Licensee report prepared for the Worker Rights Consortium
- FLA Emergency Fund for Hermosa Workers, December 2006
- John Wiley letter to SLAC, ASM and LLPC December 2005
Questions?
Dawn Crim
Acting Special Assistant to the Chancellor for Community Relations
(608) 263-5510
dbcrim@bascom.wisc.edu
Labor licensing issues in the news
- Wiley: Adidas issues serious Badger Herald, April 26
- Wiley addresses SLAC over Hermosa factory findings Daily Cardinal, April 26
- Official: UW Wear Workers 'Blacklisted' Houston Chronicle (AP) April 25
- Editorial: SLAC's tactics turn off most students Houston Chronicle, April 25
- Editorial: UW doing all it can with Adidas Daily Cardinal, March 20
- SLAC wary of UW's Adidas investigation Daily Cardinal, March 16
- UW's Wiley won't end Adidas contract Associated Press, March 15
- UW to investigate Adidas allegations Daily Cardinal, March 15
- Wisconsin Will Not Pull Licensing Deal With Adidas Over Labor Abuses Chronicle of Higher Education, March 15
- UW stands by Adidas Badger Herald, March 15
- UW Official to El Salvador on Adidas WKOW-TV, March 14
- Group looks to break Adidas ties Badger Herald, Feb. 26