In a demonstration organized by the Student Labor Action Project
(SLAP), about a dozen UCSB students removed their clothing and
stood behind placards in their underwear last Wednesday, aiming to
call attention to alleged sweatshop conditions in factories where
the university’s logo-bearing apparel is made. SLAP asks that
workers be permitted to organize as unions; that living wages and
hours be determined by local experts where the factories are
located; and that Chancellor Henry Yang adhere to the United
Students Against Sweatshops’ Designated Supplier’s Program, which
seven universities nationwide have already adopted. Yang referred
SLAP to UC President Robert Dynes, whose office responded with an
open letter stating the UC system forbids the use of “forced,
convict, or indentured” labor in its contracted factories, and will
respond specifically to SLAP’s suggestion after closer
examination.
