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Former Nike workers address labor violations By Anna Discher The Daily Cardinal
Shortly after UW-Madison cut its apparel contract with Nike, two former workers from Nike factories in Honduras spoke on campus Saturday about their experiences working for the company. UW-Madison’s decision to cut the contract stemmed from Nike allegedly failing to pay over 1,600 workers severance pay after the sudden closure of two Nike-contracted factories in Honduras. Nike allegedly owes those workers about $2.2 million, roughly equivalent to three months’ wages.
“The only thing that we’re looking for is just to have what is rightfully owed to us.” Gina Cano former factory worker Nike
Lowlee Urquia, a former worker at one of the factories, said many employees did not receive adequate medical treatment because Nike refused to pay into Honduras’ national health-care system.
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation narrowed the possible locations for a highspeed rail stop in Madison down to four Friday. The station, which would facilitate transportation for Wisconsin’s high-speed rail that is expected to connect Madison to Milwaukee, will be located at the Dane County Regional Airport, the Kohl Center, Monona Terrace or East Washington Avenue. According to Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4, the DOT and the governor will have final say over the station location but “will take into extremely high consideration what City Hall’s position
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Monday, April 19, 2010
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As a result, Urquia said, several workers began to organize a union because they felt their rights were being violated. “The general manager said that he would rather have a factory close than have a labor union.” Lowlee Urquia former factory worker Nike kyle bursaw/the daily cardinal
“The general manager said that he would rather have a factory close than have a labor union in the workplace,” Urquia said. Gina Cano, also a former worker at one of the factories, said workers also organized a union because they were tired of violations within the workplace. Cano said the factory closed Jan. 19, 2009, without any warning to employees. After it closed, Urquia said the workers were given only about 26 percent of what they had earned at the factory. According to Urquia, Nike says they have no responsibility to provide severance pay and are blaming the missing funds on the subcontractors who were nike page 3
DOT narrows down possible Madison rail station locations Kohl Center, East Washington Avenue among possibilities
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is on the station question.” Ald. Bryon Eagon, District 8, said he endorses the stop on 1st Street and East Washington Avenue, called Yahara Station, because it has the potential to serve other modes of transportation, including commuter trains and buses. Eagon said the Common Council originally drafted a proposal endorsing a location that was accessible to both campus and downtown residents. He said though the original proposal does not name a specific station, the council plans to review the proposal Tuesday with the possibility of endorsing one location. Verveer said he expects the council will propose further analysis before endorsing any of the stops but said he hopes it would “clearly say that we do not support the Dane County Airport ... when we have better options.” —Hannah Furfaro
kyle bursaw/the daily cardinal
matt marheine/the daily cardinal
The UW Marching Band held its spring concert this weekend at the Kohl Center. The band and several special guests performed multiple renditions of ‘On, Wisconsin!’ in honor of its 100th anniversary this year.
UW researchers study meteor fragment UW-Madison researchers are currently studying what they believe to be a fragment of the meteor that passed over the Midwest last week. The meteor, which was spotted in Madison around 10 p.m. Wednesday, is believed to be part of a meteor shower occurring throughout most of April. The researchers were able to study the composition of the meteor Friday after a Madison farmer found what researchers believe is a fragment of it, according to a UW-Madison release. The fragment, which is about three inches long, is gray, white and red and is covered by a thin, dark crust on one side, the release said. According to the release, locating known pieces of meteors is rare and scientists are able to use these fragments to study the natasha soglin/the daily cardinal
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“…the great state University of Wisconsin should ever encourage that continual and fearless sifting and winnowing by which alone the truth can be found.”