Break ties with Russell

The University should break ties with Russell Athletic for violating UNC's Licensing Labor Code.

Russell Athletic which produces UNC apparel fired 145 of its employees in Honduras after the workers attempted to unionize according to the Licensing Labor Code advisory committee.

The turmoil eventually led to the closing of the plant and the loss of 2000 more jobs.

The University's Licensing Labor Code clearly states that licensees are required to respect the right of workers to collectively bargain.

The committee met with Russell Athletic on Thursday to consider how the University should handle its contract with the company following the incident in Honduras. But instead of making the clear-cut recommendation it chose to deliberate further.

The committee never came to a decision.

Professor Altha Cravey a three-year member of the board said the meeting was ineffective and a waste time.

Even though the board doesn't have the final say it does make a recommendation to chancellor Holden Thorp.

When it comes time for a recommendation the decision is obvious.

The University should sever its ties with Russell Athletics.

The incident was a clear-cut  violation of the contract with Russell Athletic and the committee's opinion of organized labor shouldn't affect the decision.

The controversy has already caused other universities to break their respective contracts with Russell Athletic including Duke University and Georgetown University.

We do not want to be the odd one out. If the company violated UNC's Licensing Labor Code appropriate action must be taken.

End the contract.