This letter is in response to the Feb. 12 article "PSU: Russell on probation."

I would like to inform the public that the 10-step plan the Fair Labor Association (FLA) has released does not remedy the closing of the Jerzees de Honduras factory or the challenges the 1,800 now-unemployed workers face.

Russell Athletic has been cited for multiple labor violation in both El Salvador and Honduras; this is not an isolated incident. The 10-Step "remedial" plan the FLA is suggesting Russell follow, and what Penn State is currently advocating for, doesn't remedy anything.

For example, the one "step" in the plan that was in The Daily Collegian states "Communicate directly and formally with other local factories about the closure and encourage other plant managers to hire JDH workers. If needed, offer compensation toward the retraining of JDH workers so that they can secure employment elsewhere."

That sounds great. But let's get real, these workers have now been blacklisted because they had the courage to stand up for themselves and their families and form a union. Blacklisting is a very common scare tactic used by corporations in Central and South America to prevent workers from forming unions.

The other steps in the FLA's 10-step plan are similar to this. They do not address the complexities of the situation. The FLA's plan does not prevent Russell from committing the same illegal action again.

The only action that would bring resolution is Penn State cutting its contract with Russell Athletic and ceasing to support brands that do not respect the rights of their apparel workers.

Julia Watkins

senior- hotel, restaurant and institutional management

United Students Against Sweatshops member