Contact State Officials!

Since George Dennison gave a reverberating 'no' yesterday in one of the most unsatisfactory, rudely run meetings we've ever been to, we are asking supporters to contact our state officials. Please call, write, fax, and email Governor Brian Schweitzer and let him know about the situation. Would not hurt to contact Senator Tester, either! Contact information at the end of this blog.

Some good things to mention:
- The Designated Suppliers Program, once implemented, would ensure that our university apparel (anything with the Griz logo on it) would be purchased from certified factories that provide workers with a living wage, the right to organize, and other basic workers' rights.

-'The Designated Suppliers Program (DSP) is a comprehensive program for enhancing the enforcement of university codes of conduct. The DSP has been endorsed in principle by a substantial and growing number of universities, and is under active consideration by many others.'

--Students have been meeting with University of Montana-Missoula officials for 2 years asking them to sign a conditional letter of support for the Designated Suppliers Program

--A conditional letter of support would enable us to become part of the working group to ensure that DSP is acturally implemented and works for our university.

--Worker's lives are in jeopardy every day the program is not implemented.

--A 6 hour sit-in occured 4/16/08 in President Dennison's office before 9 people were arrested. The University has chosen to press charges of trespassing and disorderly conduct.

--Please add any personal commentary you feel necessary. Make it real and heart felt!

Governor Brian D. Schweitzer
Office of the Governor
Montana State Capitol Bldg.
P.O. Box 200801
Helena MT 59620-0801
(406) 444-3111
FAX (406) 444-5529

Contact Information
Web Site: governor.mt.gov
E-mail: governor@mt.gov


Lieutenant Governor John Bohlinger
Office of the Lt. Governor
Montana State Capitol Bldg.
PO Box 200801
Helena, MT 59620-1901
(406) 444-3111, FAX (406) 444-4648


Link to email Senator Tester:
http://tester.senate.gov/Contact/index.cfm

Missoula office:
130 W Front Street
Missoula, MT 59802
Phone: (406) 728-3003
Fax: (406) 728-2193

Washington office:
Washington, D.C.
204 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510-2604
Phone: (202) 224-2644
Fax: (202) 224-8594