The termination of New Era Cap Company's licensing contract to manufacture apparel with UW-Madison's logo will not be reviewed, even though the company reached a tentative labor agreement Wednesday with its Mobile, Ala. factory workers.
The university terminated its contract with New Era on Jan. 25 after inspectors hired to assess allegations of poor working conditions at the Mobile factory were denied access. New Era's refusal violated its contract.
We are pleased for the workers that they are going to find themselves in a better work situation, but we contend '¦ that New Era is not a company we wish to do business with,"" said Dawn Crim, special assistant to Chancellor John Wiley.
Crim said given the history of the company's relationship with UW-Madison policies, New Era would have to demonstrate seriously changed philosophies before the university provides any future licensing consideration.
UW-Madison scrutinized the company's labor practices in 2002 for similar allegations of worker abuse at its Derby, N.Y., factory. However, New Era kept its license after it made improvements.
""We're not simply making our decision based solely on what has happened right now,"" Crim said. ""We don't want a repeat of this situation in the future.""
According to a statement, the parties involved reached a collective bargaining agreement to provide workers with wage increases and better health insurance.
