Adidas has agreed to pay workers from the closed down PT Kizone factory in Indonesia, and some Eastern Michigan University students who actively campaigned for the cause said it’s a positive notion for workers’ rights, according to a press release from United Students Against Sweatshops.
Students for an Ethical Participatory Education attempted to spread awareness about the issue on campus for almost a year. The group organized protest marches, flash mobs and sit-ins at EMU President Susan Martin’s office.
Leading member and EMU senior, Josiah Seng, said he heard about the settlement during a conference call with other activists.
“I was really excited,” Seng said. “When we heard the news everyone cheered. So USAS won, I guess, and EMU played a part in that.”
Two workers from the closed down factory went on a national tour in the spring and spoke to students and administrators at EMU. Also, USAS protested earlier this year during a Selena Gomez fashion show that featured Adidas apparel.
Geoff Larcom, EMU’s executive director of media relations said, “Eastern Michigan University is extremely gratified that Adidas and the union representing the PT Kizone factory workers have reached a settlement.”
SEPE members and some of EMU’s administration met and discussed the issue throughout the previous fall and winter semesters. SEPE members said they wanted EMU to cut the school’s contract with the sports brand, but the administration never gave a formal statement on the issue.
Seng said, “I thought EMU would join with other schools, and I thought we were close to getting a public statement.”
Seventeen schools, including Penn State University, Temple University and Rutgers University cut their contracts with Adidas over the controversy, according to USAS.org.
“The university took the situation and the concerns of the workers very seriously,” Larcom said. “EMU administration met for in-depth discussions with the Eastern student group representing the workers’ situation a number of times and the university sent Adidas a letter expressing its strong concern over the workers’ situation.”
EMU senior and public relations major Rose DiNardo works at the bookstore in the Student Center that sells Adidas clothing. She said she did not notice a decline in Adidas sales throughout SEPE’s campaign.
“I haven’t really noticed students not buying Adidas,” she said.
But, DiNardo said she personally wouldn’t buy Adidas.
“I think Adidas used to be more popular, but it was kind of a fad. I think in general Nike is more popular anyways,” she said. “If I had to buy a pair of tennis shoes, I would probably buy Nike.”
SEPE members said they are now going to focus on different issues, such as the food on campus, student debt, rising tuition and working with the Native American Student Association at EMU.
Larcom said, “We anticipate further discussions with the student group as we continue to follow the principles set forth by the Worker Rights Consortium, of which Eastern is a member.”
