Boulder – A group of University of Colorado hunger strikers rallying for worker’ rights spoke with CU interim president Hank Brown for the first time Monday, dominating the discussion at a public forum featuring Brown.
The event, at the humanities building on the CU campus, was intended to be one of a series of campus interviews for Brown as he heads toward losing the interim from his title.
About two dozen hunger strikers and supporters attended the forum – outnumbering all others in attendance – and pressed Brown on his role in ensuring that factories making CU-licensed goods protect worker rights.
“I think all of us share an interest in seeing people do well and earn a living wage,” Brown told the protesters. ” … I think it’s a commendable thing that you care enough to get involved.”
Nine protesters on Monday entered their 12th day without food. Two more are on their 11th.
They are trying to get CU to adopt the Designated Suppliers Program, which would force companies producing CU-licensed goods to have those goods made in a handful of certified factories where workers have democratic bargaining power with their employers and earn a living wage.
The university has offered “qualified support” for the Designated Suppliers Program, saying that it supports the goals of the program but that the program as constructed is unworkable.
After Monday’s forum, protesters said they were unimpressed with Brown’s responses to their questions.
“It always takes a talented individual to say they want to maintain dialogue,” Tim Hillman, one of the hunger strike leaders, said. “Everybody wants that. But we need action, not more talk. And I don’t think Hank Brown today demonstrated he wanted to personally follow up on these issues.”
The protesters repeatedly quizzed Brown on what he would do to make sure factory workers’ rights are guaranteed. Brown, never fazed, said he supports human rights but must work within university policy and state law. He said he would not meddle in what he views as a Boulder campus issue.
Student health officials have periodically checked on the hunger strikers to make sure they are OK. Hillman said he has lost 10 pounds since he began the fast nearly two weeks ago. At a meeting Monday night, the protesters planned to discuss whether some students should end their strike for health reasons, Hillman said.
But he vowed to continue until CU voices stronger support for workers’ rights. “The thing we’re asking for is very simple.”
Staff writer John Ingold can be reached at 720-929-0898 or jingold@denverpost.com.
