Labor is Not a Commodity

Firestone: Child Labor Continues in Liberia

Tim Newman, Campaigns Assistant, International Labor Rights Forum

As I mentioned recently on this blog, I just took a trip to Liberia to visit the Firestone rubber plantation and meet with workers there.  During my visit, I could see right through all the expensive public relations materials Firestone has produced to try to deflect criticism of their 82 year history of exploitation in Liberia.  Most notably, I saw children under the age of 18 working on their plantation with my own eyes -- a flagrant violation of their company policy.

The Latest from Liberia

Tim Newman, Campaigns Assistant, International Labor Rights Forum

I just returned from a trip to West Africa, including Liberia.  During my trip to Liberia, I was able to meet the newly elected and recognized leadership of the Firestone Agricultural Workers Union of Liberia, talk with Liberian members of the Stop Firestone Coalition and visit the Firestone rubber plantation in Liberia.  I saw first hand how Firestone continues to exploit workers, use child labor and harm the environment on their rubber plantation.  I also was inspired by the incredible organizing workers have been doing to protect their rights and there is a lot we can do in the U.S. to stand in solidarity with these workers.

Keep reading to find out the latest about the Firestone campaign and how YOU can help fight exploitation!

Rejecting Paternalism in Africa?

Tim Newman, Campaigns Assistant, International Labor Rights Forum

"Too many nations continue to follow either the paternalistic notion that treats African countries as charity cases, or a model of exploitation that seeks only to buy up their resources.  America rejects both approaches." - President George Bush at a Feb. 14, 2007 press conference

A central aspect of President Bush’s trip to Africa is the promotion of neoliberal trade policies and foreign direct investment as a path to “empowerment” and a “culture of self-reliance and opportunity.” The president has explicitly rejected “the paternalistic notion that treats African countries as charity cases, or a model of exploitation that seeks only to buy up their resources.”

But will the impact of his view of trade and investment on workers in Africa truly end this paternalism?

Bridgestone's Bad Behavior Around the World

Tim Newman, Campaigns Assistant, International Labor Rights Forum

I write a lot about Firestone's labor rights abuses in Liberia on this blog, but lately Bridgestone has been getting negative attention in the press for other aspects of its business practices, too.  Let's check out the world's largest tire company's record outside of Liberia. (FYI: Bridgestone is a Japanese tire company which bought the Firestone Tire & Rubber Company in 1988.  The U.S. branch is now called Bridgestone Americas Holdings.  The Firestone Natural Rubber Company, which is responsible for the rubber plantation in Liberia, is a Bridgestone Americas subsidiary.)

A lot of people remember the infamous Bridgestone/Firestone tire recall in 2000 where the company had to recall millions of its faulty tires, but did you know that the company recently admitted that it had made improper payments to government officials to secure sales of its products?

Thoughts on the Chicago Auto Show

Tim Newman, Campaigns Assistant, International Labor Rights Forum

Last week, I had the opportunity to attend a special media preview of the Chicago Auto Show.  This annual car show is currently open to the public at McCormick Place in Chicago and is co-sponsored by Bridgestone/Firestone.  At first the huge displays were overwhelming, but eventually I was able to find Bridgestone's corner of the show (just in time for their "tailgate party").

I noticed that Bridgestone was promoting their slogan "Passion for Excellence" in their display, but judging by their 81 years of child labor and environmental abuse on their rubber plantation in Liberia, it seems to me that they have a "Passion for Exploitation."

Berkeley, CA says: Stop Firestone!

Tim Newman, Campaigns Assistant, International Labor Rights Forum

Last night (Tuesday, January 29), the city council of Berkeley, CA unanimously passed a resolution expressing solidarity with the workers on Firestone's rubber plantation in Liberia.  The resolution was based on a recommendation from the Berkeley Peace and Justice Commission which advises the city council on issues of social justice.  Berkeley became the first city to pass a resolution related to Firestone's exploitation in Liberia. 

Could your city be next?!  If you are interested in following Berkeley's lead and taking local action to support the workers in Liberia, contact Tim at tim.newman[at]ilrf.org.

Keep reading for reactions and to read the text of the resolution.

Firestone Strikes Back

Tim Newman, Campaigns Assistant, International Labor Rights Forum

As we've mentioned here before, Bridgestone is getting ready for a big advertising blitz during this year's Super Bowl.  They are the title sponsor of the halftime show (in 2008 AND 2009) and are also airing two commercials starring Richard Simmons and Alice Cooper.  They are even trying to capitalize on pre-game buzz by putting a "sneak peek" of their commercial online (you can check it out here -- and be sure to add comments about Bridgestone's abuses in Liberia)

The increased spotlight on Bridgestone has also raised questions about their rubber plantation in Liberia.  Dave Zirin, a great sports journalist, wrote a piece in the Los Angeles Times about Firestone's deal with the NFL (and exploitation of Liberia) and Firestone Natural Rubber Company CEO, Dan Adomitis, wrote a response with is usual PR spin.  Luckily, Zirin got a chance to respond too. 

Keep reading to read both pieces -- you can also read and comment at the LA Times website.

Another World is Possible!

In response to the call for a global week of action during the week of January 21-26, 2008 initiated by the World Social Forum, the Labor is Not a Commodity blog will feature articles throughout the week related to the theme: "Another World is Possible: International Labor Solidarity Success Stories."

We will be sharing stories about when people around the world came together to support workers' rights and how different individuals and organizations are successfully protecting labor rights globally.  Keep checking throughout the week for inspiring updates.

We also want to hear your stories!  You can contribute blog entries about successful labor campaigns by sending your stories to Tim at tim.newman[at]ilrf.org -- the sooner the better!

Haga clic abajo para espanol.

You can't turn him into a company man?

Tim Newman, Campaigns Assistant, International Labor Rights Forum

As we reported back in November, the National Football League (NFL) has teamed up with Bridgestone/Firestone on a new marketing partnership that includes Bridgestone being the sponsor of this year's Superbowl halftime show.  Millions of football fans across the country will be inundated with the Bridgestone logo as the company washes over its abysmal labor rights record (as well as its lawsuit in U.S. courts for using child labor!). 

Football fans will also be treated to the vocal styling of Tom Petty, who will be the featured Bridgestone halftime show performer.  Does Petty -- who once reminisced about "a time that once existed when money wasn't king" -- have any concerns about performing during what amounts to a commercial for a product made by child labor?  Not according to this Rolling Stone interview:

Rolling Stone: This halftime show is sponsored by Bridgestone Tires. Are you softening your stance about working with corporations?

Tom Petty: No. I’m not sponsored by Bridgestone. My deal is with the NFL. The halftime show is always presented by a sponsor. If I play on The Tonight Show, it’s presented by sponsors. Truthfully, every venue in America has some sort of corporate sponsor above the door or on the wall. It’s not a deal that I made, you know? Don’t worry, I haven’t gone corporate.

RS: There’s only a few other holdouts left. Is it getting harder to keep saying no to that corporate money?

TP: No. That’s the way the world is run. They certainly own all the venues. If you play a bar you see signs for Budweiser. There is no way around that. We don’t use tour sponsors or do commercials or anything. I saw someone write in the press that we had in some way sold ourselves out to the Super Bowl because of this deal with Bridgestone Tires. The truth is that if you play on TV there is always a sponsor. There is no way around it. I’ve already passed on so much money I don’t worry about it anymore.

Keep reading for more thoughts!

Firestone: Isn’t that a Japanese Company?

Kana Aoki, Intern, International Labor Rights Forum

Before I started my internship at ILRF, I didn’t know about labor violation issues by Firestone. Bridgestone (which owns Firestone) is a Japanese company, and it is one of the oldest companies in Japan.  You will see their name and logo everywhere in Japan.

So, I started wondering why nobody knew about the issue. I used Japanese Google and looked up “child labor & Bridgestone.” Almost nothing came up. I was shocked.