UC's impact

From increasing UC-logoed goods supply chain transparency to strengthening the UC Code of Conduct for Trademark Licensees the Committee is committed to improving the lives of workers in factories manufacturing UC-logoed goods.

The University of California has been and continues to serve as a leader in teaching, research, and public service, including being at the forefront of establishing one of the strongest codes of conducts in the country.

Case studies

Knights Apparel and Alta Gracia

I go to the bank to apply for a loan and when I tell the officer that I work at Villa Alta Gracia Project, that’s all they need to know.

- Alta Gracia Front Line Worker

Partnering with the Worker Rights Consortium, Alta Gracia is a factory in Honduras that produces university branded apparel which has had a transformative impact on workers and their families. Alta Gracia is the only verified factory paying a living wage, which as of October 2014 is 5.8% above the cost of living or 340% of the minimum wage.

PT Kizone

Workers in Indonesia were terminated without receiving severance payments. UC worked to influence a positive outcome.

Worker safety in Bangladesh

To help improve the working conditions in Bangladesh, UC trademark licensees who source UC-logoed goods from Bangladesh must be members of either the Accord on Fire and Building Safety or the Alliance on Bangladesh Worker Safety as of February 22, 2015.

Compliance

The FLA and WRC assist in monitoring trademark licensee compliance to the workplace standards. Ultimately, the responsibility of enforcing the Code’s provisions falls to the university.

Ramifications

UC’s reputation is only as good as the actions taken to support its mission. This expectation extends to those producing UC-logoed goods. While we work with our licensees to minimize the risk of a non-compliant event happening, if a complaint is made the system wide Committee on the UC Code of Conduct for Trademark Licensees (UC Committee) will undertake to verify the allegation. If confirmed, and in accordance with the UC Code, UC will work with the licensee to develop a corrective action plan to remedy the violation. Should the licensee fail to correct the violations, UC may suspend or terminate the license. Following completion of a corrective action plan to remediate UC Code violation a former licensee may reapply for a license to produce UC-logoed goods.