It was nice talking to you last week. I have to thank you for thetime you spent with me on the phone it was really productive in helping meregain my focus on why I got involved in the "Nike campaign." I believe it wasthe question that you put to me about your competitors and my feelingstowards them that forced me to really reflect. Having reflected, I will statethe following. I am not overly interested in your competitors. The reasonthat I took a stand against your company was because you are the company that has signed a multi-million dollar contract with my University (St. John's). It was your company I was told I had to represent (by wearing theequipment) or leave my coaching position. It is your company therefore that I amtaking issue with.

You had also asked me how I would define a living wage. You madethe claim that there might be a number of different ways to determine aliving wage. I will share with you my thoughts on this. Again, recall thatSt. John's is a Catholic university and is therefore called to uphold the teachings of the Church. If we look to our magisterial teaching on aliving wage, we find the following: Just remuneration for the work of an adult who is responsible for afamily means remuneration which will suffice for establishing and properly maintaining a family and for providing security for its future. Such remuneration can be given either through what is called a family wage -that is, a single salary given to the head of the family for his/her work, sufficient for the needs of the family without the spouse having to takeup gainful employment outside the home - or through other social measuressuch as family allowances or grants to mothers devoting themselvesexclusively to their families. (Laborem Exercens #19)

It is my understanding from my research that Nike falls far shortof establishing this wage standard for the factory workers. Please send meany pertinent information that would convince me otherwise.

Another area of concern we have as a Catholic university is the guarantee that workers are free to establish unions. Again, if we lookto magisterial teaching we find: All these rights, together with the need for workers themselves tosecure them, give rise to yet another right: the right of association, that is,to form associations for the purpose of defending the vital interests orthose employed in the various professions. These associations are calledlabor or trade unions. The vital interests of the workers are to a certainextent common for all of them; at the same time, however, each type of work,each profession, has it's own specific character which should find aparticular reflection in these organizations. (Laborem Exercens #20)The Church fully supports the right of workers to form unions or other associations to secure their rights to fair wages and workingconditions... No one may deny the right to organize without attacking human dignityitself. (Economic Justice for All #104) Can Nike guarantee that your workers in all your factories aregiven this right to organize? Again, my research has led me to believeotherwise.

During our conversation, you spoke of profit margins and acommitment to shareholders. You see Dusty, we, as a Catholic university are calledto a different understanding of business and economics. We believe that all persons and institutions are called to serve all of humanity and supportthe common good, not just shareholders. We are called to take apreferential option for the poor at all times. We are called to measure success inthe guaranteeing of all persons' human dignity not in profit margins.

As I mentioned above, you had asked me how my research on other companies was coming along. As I responded above, I am not concernedwith other companies at the moment. It is you that is dealing with my soonto be alma mater. I must ask you, have you done any research on CatholicSocial Teaching? Have you read chapter 25:31-46 of the Gospel of Matthew? Ithink you need to if you are going to understand what is necessary if youchoose to do business with Catholic institutions.

You had also stated in response to my offer to go work in one ofyour factories in SE Asia that you were concerned about worker displacement. Doesn't this happen at any job? Isn't that the law of the market? Iwould just like the opportunity to apply for a position. Nike is an equal opportunity employer aren't they? I know you had some concern about the language barrier in SE Asia. Perhaps then I could apply for a positionin one of your clothing manufacturing plants in Latin America. I am fluentin Spanish.

You spoke of certain groups that have visited your factories. Doyou have a list of these groups and who funded their trips?

If you don't mind Dusty, I have a few questions for you and theother execs at Nike. I hope you are willing to answer. What does your compensation package include? Do you earn enough to secure food,housing, healthcare, education, and clothing for your family? Are health benefits included? Does your work schedule allow for sufficient leisure time? If these are what you are guaranteed by your employment at Nike, whyshouldn't your factory workers be ensured the same? Don't all persons have aright to these, not just a privileged few? To recap Dusty: 1. Can Nike guarantee that a living wage, as defined by Catholic Social Teaching is being paid to all your workers?2. Is Nike allowing and supporting the formation of unions at all ofyour factories?3. What does the compensation package of Nike executives include?4. What does the compensation package of Nike factory workers include?5. Who is consulting you on the Catholic Social Teaching of the Church?6. Is Nike an equal opportunity employer? If so, how can I apply to oneof your shoe or clothing factories?7. Who is going/has gone to your factories to ensure workers' rights are being upheld?8. What religion do you practice? What does Phil practice? ( I am very interested in this.)Well, I hope to hear from you soon Dusty. All the best!Peace, Jim Keady