Nike's hiring of Andrew Young and his consulting firm,
Goodworks International, to review its int'l labor code of
conduct is examined by Dana Canedy in today's N.Y. TIMES.
Canedy notes that Nike says that Young's involvement "adds a
level of oversight to its commitment to being a leader in
international workplace standards. The company's critics
take a more cynical view, contending that just as Nike pays
Michael Jordan to sell its basketball shoes, Mr. Young has
been hired to promote Nike's image." Young, "in a brief,
reluctant interview," said, "I don't see myself as a
spokesman for Nike at all." In hiring Young, some observers
say Nike has opened itself "to a potentially harsh review."
GA AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Richard Ray: "They have
chosen a man whose whole life has been directed at helping
people. He will give them an honest opinion." Young added
that it would be up to Nike to decide what to do with his
final report. Nike spokesperson McClain Ramsey: "We haven't
yet determined how his findings will take shape." Neither
Young nor Nike would disclose how much the company was
paying Goodworks for the report (N.Y. TIMES, 3/25).