Courtney George went to the Student Union on Friday night prepared for a rally with markers, cardboard and scissors in hand.
The international studies senior and one of the founders of the University’s affiliate of United Students Against Sweatshops may have had the supplies to demonstrate against sweatshops, but that was never actually the plan.
“We didn’t really intend on a rally, but when Courtney brought up the issue, then we brought the supplies to demonstrate if attendees wanted to,” said Lynn Williams, a political science junior and another founder of the anti-sweatshop group.
Instead of a rally, the small group of students who attended brainstormed campaign tactics with United Students Against Sweatshops National Coordinator Teresa Cheng and Regional Coordinator Billy Yates.
Williams said the organization’s goal is to excite students and create escalated plans that will get the University to re-affiliate with the Workers Rights Consortium, the only labor rights organization that investigates factories for labor abuses and reports back to affiliate universities.
Before the meeting began, Williams choked up while telling attendees the story of a woman from Honduras who was harassed because she tried to unionize her workplace.
She said even though she has never been in that woman’s situation, she “can empathize and make a change.”
George said she believes the common person shouldn’t want to purchase merchandise made from sweatshop labor.
Bianca Hinc-Foley, a delegate for the national United Students Against Sweatshops, said she and the coordinators came to the University because it’s one of the largest collegiate apparel providers in the South.
Students decided they needed awareness, people and pressure to get the University to sign on with the Workers Rights Consortium.
Yates informed students about recruiting tactics like class raps and panels. A class rap is when one student goes into a class and encourages other students to get involved or attend a meeting.
To put pressure on the University, coordinators encouraged attendees to communicate with other affiliate organizations, like the University of Texas’ chapter of United Students Against Sweatshops.
Hinc-Foley said the more University affiliates connect and coordinate, the more administration will notice student demands.
The national and regional coordinators told students they have the power to change the University.
Williams said in the future, the University’s United Students Against Sweatshops plans to have an educational panel and protest.
 
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Contact Marylee Williams at [email protected]