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15-01-2000, Nike union organizer Haryanto reinstated!, Action
request, Join the rapid action network
(more info on this case)
NIKE UNION ORGANIZER HARYANTO REINSTATED!
After an outpouring of international pressure and a 10-state speaking
tour in the United States, Nike union organizer Haryanto has been
reinstated at the PT Lintas shoe factory in Indonesia. Haryanto
is an officer in the Perbupas union federation representing shoe
and garment workers in a number of Nike factories in Indonesia.
He remains committed to organizing support for Perbupas at the Lintas
factory.
Haryanto's reinstatement represents far more than a victory for
one worker. It is the first step forward in a worker-empowerment
strategy outlined by Campaign for Labor Rights last summer.
The next step is to win reinstatement for four other organizers
fired from their jobs at Lintas. Their names have been provided
by Perbupas and by Sisbikum, an Indonesian non-governmental organization
which works closely with Perbupas. International supporters are
awaiting the case histories on their firing before gearing up for
their reinstatement.
Assuming that efforts to win reinstatement for the other four
organizers bear fruit, the next steps with regard to the Lintas
factory will be:
- Monitoring the situation and organizing international pressure
if Perbupas organizers and members face harassment or discriminatory
treatment.
- Pressuring Nike and Lintas management to engage in good-faith
collective bargaining once the union has had an opportunity to
establish an effective presence in the factory.
Sources close to Nike report that Nike representatives believe
that respecting freedom of association (the right to engage in union
activities - a principle to which Nike is committed as a member
of the Fair Labor Association) "doesn't mean that we have to
deal with the union." It is likely that considerable international
pressure will be needed in order to bring Nike to the bargaining
table. PT Lintas is one of the factories owned by PT Astra Graphia.
Negotiations are underway for Astra to sell its footwear business
for U.S. $11.5 million to Dimension S. Ltd., an investor about whom
little is known. Also unknown are the implications of the new ownership
for the union.
Thanks to all of you who supported Haryanto's speaking tour and
who put your names to the sign-on letter to Nike seeking his reinstatement.
Your continuing efforts will be crucial in carrying out the rest
of the strategy outlined above. One way that local groups can continue
to exert pressure when needed is through joining the Rapid Action
Network. (See information later in this alert.)
Thanks also to Tim Connor, director of the Nike Watch program
at Community Aid Abroad in Australia. Connor tirelessly carried
out behind-the-scenes discussions with Nike representatives until
Haryanto's reinstatement was accomplished. He also served as an
invaluable communications link between Campaign for Labor Rights
in the U.S. and Perbupas and Sisbikum in Indonesia.
ACTION REQUEST
Please copy, sign and send the following letter to Nike. Please
also send the following information (not this entire alert!) to
Campaign for Labor Rights at <CLR@igc.org>
I have sent a letter to Nike in response to the January 15 alert.
NAME:
CITY/STATE (or COUNTRY if outside U.S.):
ORGANIZATION (if listed with your signature to the letter):
Philip H. Knight
Chairman and CEO
Nike Inc.
One Bowerman Drive
Beaverton, OR 97005
Dear Mr. Knight:
I was happy to learn that sources in Indonesia have confirmed the
reinstatement of Haryanto, an organizer for the Perbupas union,
at the PT Lintas shoe factory, which produces for Nike. I understand
that Nike representatives played a key role in achieving his reinstatement
at the factory. This is exactly the kind of behavior which can help
Nike to restore its credibility on labor rights issues.
Human rights advocates who maintained communications with Nike
around Haryanto's case soon will be providing company representatives
with a list of four other union organizers whose employment at Perbupas
was terminated. They also will provide documentation supporting
the Perbupas claim that these organizers were fired because of their
union activities.
Nike did the right thing in supporting Haryanto's reinstatement.
Nike should continue to do the right thing by seeing to the reinstatement
of the other four organizers mentioned above. Ending discriminatory
behavior toward organizers, respecting freedom of association and
engaging in good-faith collective bargaining with independent trade
unions are key ingredients of fair labor practices. I appreciate
that such actions are not easy for management. However, moving forward
with this plan can only add to Nike's credit.
I hope soon to hear more good news from the human rights advocates
who promoted Haryanto's case and who are continuing to monitor the
situation at the PT Lintas factory.
With sincere wishes for justice,
Name:
City/State (or Country if outside U.S.):
Organization (if applicable):
JOIN THE RAPID ACTION NETWORK
to support union struggles in sweatshops
Campaign for Labor Rights has established a Rapid Action Network.
We invite you to join other local organizations all across the U.S.
- solidarity, faith-based, student, labor, peace & justice -
who stand ready to mobilize when asked by sweatshop union activists.
Participating organizations agree to mobilize in their communities
with as little as 14 days notice (more notice whenever we can manage
it) at least 6 out of 10 times when asked during the course of the
year. The great majority of the mobilizations are leafleting actions,
usually at retail
outlets. These mobilizations are in support of sweatshop union struggles
around the world and here at home.
We expect the first mobilization of the Rapid Action Network to
take place in early March of 2000. Stayed tuned for more news!!!
To join, simply fill out the following:
YES! We would like to join the Rapid Action Network!
Name of organization:
Complete postal address:
Name of primary contact person:
Daytime phone:
Evening/weekend phone:
Fax (if this applies):
Email (if this applies):
Name of back-up contact person:
Daytime phone:
Evening/weekend phone:
Fax (if this applies):
Email (if this applies):
and send it to:
Campaign for Labor Rights
1247 "E" Street SE
Washington, DC 20003
Email: <CLR@igc.org>
Fax: (541) 431-0523
For more information, call:
National coordinator Trim Bissell (541) 344-5410
Midwest regional Emily LaBarbera-Twarog (773) 252-6413
Mid-Atlantic regional coordinator Melinda St. Louis (202) 544-9355
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