So far 18 universities have pulled back from licensing deals with Russell Athletic over the company’s labor practices.  Harvard, Columbia, Duke, Michigan and Penn State are among schools that have ended licensing agreements with Russell over what they believe are unfair business practices related to a Honduras factory that had previously produced fleece products.  The factory has been shut down – for economic reasons says Russell, and not because of pro-union activity on behalf of the workers.

 

The link to the news story below explains how we got to this point. This controversy is quickly becoming an expensive PR black hole for Russell Athletic. 

 

From the Azcentral & AP

http://www.azcentral.com/business/consumer/articles/2009/03/19/20090319biz-RussellAthletic0319.html

 

Be sure and take a look at Russell’s CSR website, http://www.russellsocialresponsibility.com/ for their spin on the issue.

 

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