Teamsters Tell Elton Brand of Philadelphia 76ers: Don't Tread on Workers with Nike Sneakers

The EB1 line of sneakers is a collaboration between the 76ers power forward Elton Brand, Nike's Converse division and JC Penney. The shoes are transported to JC Penney by Oak Harbor Freight Lines ofAuburn, Washington.

On Monday September 22, 600 Oak Harbor Freight Lines drivers, warehouse and office workers walked off the job to protest violations of American labor laws.Oak Harbor workers have now been on strike for more than 8 weeks.

A report by the International Labor Rights Forum on the situation atOak Harbor found substantial evidence thatOak Harbor has abused workers' rights by pursuing a premeditated plan to permanently replace employees by employing a labor contractor that discriminates against African American and women workers it recruits to replace strikers, and by inflicting significant hardship on retired employees by terminating their health insurance payments.

In response, a variety of activist organizations including United Students Against Sweatshops, Sweatfree Communities, No Sweat and Jobs with Justice, along with faith-based groups and global union federations, have called on JC Penney to respect workers' rights.

According to news reports, Brand said his new collaboration would allow kids to have a shoe that looks "cool" when they wear it to school.

Rod Palmquist, a national organizer with United Students Against Sweatshops, said, "Elton Brand should speak out as a role model for kids about this horrible situation. Elton shouldn't allow his name to be used when hardworking people are being exploited, like the truck drivers atOak Harbor."

Teamsters, students and community organizations will continue educating the public as the holiday season approaches.

Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents more than 1.4 million hardworking men and women inthe United States,Canada andPuerto Rico.

SOURCE International Brotherhood of Teamsters

Copyright © 2009, PRNewswire
Copyright © 2009, NewsBlaze, Daily News

Tags: ,SPT,WRK,LBR,POL,PA-IBT-76ers-Nike

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