Students Protesting New Era After Company's Labor Dispute

New Era this week is the "target of widespread student demonstrations stemming from a labor dispute" at its plant in Mobile, Alabama, according to Fred Williams of the BUFFALO NEWS. The Teamsters union is accusing New Era of "discriminating against African-American workers at its distribution center in Mobile by passing them over for promotion." New Era denied that claim and said that "earlier discrimination charges were ruled without merit" by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.  Demonstrations at about 40 college campuses "are expected this week." New Era Corporate Communications Manager Dana Marciniak said of United Students Against Sweatshops, which is organizing the protests, "I wish they'd do their homework." New Era has headwear-licensing agreements with several colleges, MLB and other pro sports teams (BUFFALO NEWS, 11/14).