Tell the NFL to stop its foul play!

This year's Super Bowl Halftime show is sponsored by the Bridgestone Firestone tire company. For over 80 years, Firestone has exploited workers and the environment on its rubber plantation in Liberia. After a long campaign for justice, workers on the plantation finally signed their first contract negotiated by an independent and democratically elected union leadership in August 2008, but the company has not implemented many of the important improvements in the new contract.

Please send a message telling Bridgestone Americas CEO Marke Emkes that he must immediately implement commitments in the contract and tell NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell that the NFL should not renew its contract with Bridgestone Firestone until the company respects its workers.

Tell me more

Subject:

Dear [ Decision Maker ],

(Edit Letter Below)

In August of 2008, workers on the Firestone rubber plantation in Liberia took an historic step toward realizing their rights by signing their first collective bargaining agreement negotiated by a democratic and independently elected union leadership.  This agreement provides an important first step toward creating real positive changes for Firestone workers and their families.

However, since the agreement has been signed many of the workers' hopes have not been fulfilled.  The Firestone management has not implemented many of the improvements in the new contract.  While millions of people around the world watch the Bridgestone Super Bowl Halftime Show, Liberian workers who produce the rubber for the company's tires continue to face exploitation.

The NFL should not renew any contract with Bridgestone Firestone until the company fully implements all of its commitments in the contract with the Firestone Agricultural Workers Union of Liberia (FAWUL).  Bridgestone Firestone must:

1)	Immediately reduce the production quota required of rubber tappers in line with the new contract.  Many workers throughout the plantation report that they are still being forced to meet the old, burdensome production quotas that were in place before the new contract was signed.  As a result, workers are forced to hire subcontractors or use other help in order to met their quotas and receive their payment.
 
2)	Extend free transportation for children to attend school throughout the entire plantation.

3)	Ensure that all workers represented by FAWUL in the new contract have their dues provided to the union.  It has been reported Firestone is withholding the union dues of thousands of workers to FAWUL.

4)	Immediately improve health and safety standards for workers by following through with contract obligations to clear underbrush around the rubber trees and fully empower the Safety Committee established through the CBA to ensure safe working conditions for all workers.

I look forward to your urgent attention to this matter.

Sincerely,
[Your name]
[Your address]

Take Action on this Issue

Send this message to:

Mr. Mark Emkes, CEO of Bridgestone Americas Holding, Inc.
Mr. Roger Goodell, NFL
cc: Dan Adomitis, President of Firestone Natural Rubber Co
cc: Mr. Peter Murray, NFL

Complete the following to send this message. If you have participated before, just type in your email address then submit the form.

Email:*

First Name:*

Last Name:*

Address Line 1:*

Address Line 2:

City:*

State/ Province:

ZIP/Postal Code:*

Country:*

Phone Number:

Please keep me updated about how I can support labor rights globally!

ILRF E-Newletters & Urgent Action Alerts:

End Child Labor

Create a Sweatfree World

Rights for Working Women

Stop Violence against Trade Unions

* Required Field