The thorny, long-running dispute between the UW-Madison and Adidas over the apparel giant?s labor practices in Indonesia landed in Dane County Circuit Court Friday. The university alleged in a lawsuit that Adidas ? which outfits UW-Madison athletes and coaches ? must pay Indonesian workers up to nearly $2 million still owed for back wages and benefits to honor a code of conduct provision in its contract. The chairwoman of a university committee charged with ensuring ethical conduct by contractors criticized the lawsuit as ineffective.
“It’s disappointing,” said Lydia Zepeda, a professor of consumer science and chairwoman of the Labor Licensing Policy Committee. “I believe it’s a way to continue the relationship with Adidas.” She said that, with claims and appeals, the legal process could drag on for months or years as UW-Madison athletes and coaches continue to sport apparel bearing the tri-stripe Adidas logo.