September 9, 1999
Contact HRF Communications (212) 845 5245 media@humanrightsfirst.orgCHARLES RUFF NAMED FIRST FAIR LABOR ASSOCIATION CHAIR, BOARD OF DIRECTORS
New York, September 9, 1999 - The Fair Labor Association (FLA) today announced the appointment of Charles Ruff as the first Chair of its Board of Directors.
The FLA grew out of the Apparel Industry Partnership, a voluntary initiative supported by the White House, which brought together a group of manufacturers, human rights, labor rights and consumer organizations. The Association will accredit independent monitors who will inspect factories manufacturing products for each company that is part of the FLA's monitoring process. The FLA's Board of Directors includes an equal number of companies and human rights, labor rights and consumer organizations. It also includes a university representative. As Chair of the Board, Mr. Ruff will help lead this new institution that will oversee the enforcement of an industry wide code of conduct and monitoring principles in the apparel and footwear industries.
Ten companies have agreed to participate in this process to date: adidas-Salomon A.G, Kathie Lee Gifford, Levi Strauss & Co, Liz Claiborne Inc., L.L. Bean, Nicole Miller, Nike, Patagonia, Phillips Van Heusen, and Reebok. In addition, 121 colleges and universities have affiliated with the FLA, requiring their licensees to comply with FLA standards. Four public interest organizations; the International Labor Rights Fund, Human Rights First, the National Consumers League and the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Human Rights have participated in the establishment of the FLA.
Mr. Ruff served as White House Counsel from 1997-1999. Last month he returned to the Washington law firm of Covington & Burling. Mr. Ruff was a partner at the firm from 1982-1995. From 1995-1997, Mr. Ruff was Corporation Counsel to the District of Columbia. Before going to Covington & Burling, Mr. Ruff was the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia and Acting Deputy Attorney General in the Department of Justice. From 1975-1977 he was the Special Prosecutor and Director of the Watergate Special Prosecution Force. In 1993, Mr. Ruff was Chair of the Multinational Panel to Inquire into the Curbing of Violence in the South African Elections.
Michael Posner, Executive Director of Human Rights First said "The appointment of Charles Ruff marks an important step for the FLA. He has the independence, judgement, and integrity needed for the job. We all look forward to working with him." Roberta S. Karp, Vice President, Corporate Affairs and General Counsel, Liz Claiborne Inc. added "Charles Ruff possesses the integrity and skills needed to lead the FLA in these formative years. His experience and expertise position him well to help implement the principles on which the FLA is founded, and I am confident he will make an excellent chair."
Jim Wilkersen, Duke University and Carol Kaesebier, University of Notre Dame, the Co-Chairs of the University Advisory Council to the FLA stated "Mr. Ruff’s selection is a crucial step in building the foundation of the FLA and its efforts to improve working conditions. We are confident that his broad experience, including time spent in academia, will serve the university interests extremely well."
The FLA plans to hire its first executive director in the next month and begin active operations later this fall. The first inspections of factories by independent monitors will take place next year. Mr. Ruff will participate in the recruitment and appointment of FLA staff, including its executive director.