Brief Update on BJ&B

Since the meeting on BJ&B held in the Dominican Republic on May 8 and 9, we have been hoping that BJ&B management, and the factory’s parent company, Yupoong, would enter into negotiations with the union over severance for the BJ&B workforce. As you know, both the WRC and the FLA have concluded that there were significant flaws in the severance process at BJ&B, that there has not been a collective negotiation over severance for the workforce, and that such a negotiation should take place. Unfortunately, Yupoong/BJ&B has not yet agreed to a negotiation. In view of this, universities that have strong relationships with Nike and/or adidas may wish to contact these licensees and urge them to press Yupoong to change course.

While we continue to analyze the causes of BJ&B’s closure, it is clear from the meeting in the Dominican Republic that the factory will not re-open. This makes a meaningful severance negotiation all the more important for the factory’s employees.

Please contact us if you have any questions about this or would like to discuss the issues further. We will continue to keep you posted on the situation.

Scott Nova
Worker Rights Consortium
5 Thomas Circle NW
Washington DC 20005
ph 202 387 4884
fax 202 387 3292
[email protected]
www.workersrights.org