Dear President Ray L Watts and the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Administration, We, the undersigned students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members of UAB, urge you to take a bold stand for workers' rights and social justice by affiliating the University of Alabama at Birmingham with the Workers Rights Consortium (WRC). By joining the WRC, UAB can ensure that the apparel bearing its name is produced under fair, safe, and ethical working conditions, and set a standard for other institutions to follow.

1.     UAB’s Commitment to Ethical Responsibility: As a leading academic institution, UAB has a responsibility to uphold the highest ethical standards in all its operations, including the production of collegiate apparel. By affiliating with the WRC,UAB can demonstrate its commitment to human rights and social justice, ensuring that the workers who make our clothing are treated with dignity and respect. The Plight of Garment Workers: Many workers in the global apparel industry face exploitative conditions, including poverty wages, unsafe working environments, and denial of basic labor rights. 2.     The Plight of Garment Workers: Many workers in the global apparel industry face exploitative conditions, including poverty wages, unsafe working environments, and denial of basic labor rights. By joining the WRC, UAB can help combat these injustices and ensure that its apparel is not produced at the expense of workers' well-being. The WRC’s Proven Track Record: The Workers Rights Consortium is a respected independent labor rights monitoring organization that works to protect the rights of workers in the global garment industry. By affiliating with the WRC, UAB would gain access to transparent, credible, and effective oversight of its supply chain, ensuring compliance with fair labor practices. 3.     Setting a Standard for Higher Education: UAB has the opportunity to lead by example and set a standard for other universities to follow. By affiliating with the WRC, UAB conjoin a growing coalition of over 250 colleges and universities committed to ethical sourcing and workers' rights, reinforcing its reputation as a socially responsible institution.     

1. Affiliate with the Workers Rights Consortium (WRC) to ensure transparency and accountability in the production of UAB-branded apparel. 2. Adopt a Code of Conduct for licensees that aligns with international labor standards, including fair wages, safe working conditions, and the right to organize. 3.Publicly Commit to Ethical Sourcing by prioritizing partnerships with suppliers and manufacturers that adhere to fair labor practices. 4.Engage the UAB Community in ongoing efforts to promote workers' rights and ethical sourcing through education, advocacy, and transparency.